"The Russian attack, however, is not only a territorial or geostrategic claim. It indicates a direct and full frontal challenge to liberal democracy and European values," President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou stressed today, speaking at the Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"Russia's unprovoked and atrocious war in Ukraine reminds us of Turkey's illegal invasion of Cyprus 48 years ago," said Katerina Sakellaropoulou, stressing that Europe, which was born from the ashes of the bloodiest war, has learned to survive and stand up through crises. "It has learned to move forward, with compromises and transgressions, without abandoning its founding acquis and its core values," she said.The President of the Republic also referred in her speech to the migrant crisis, saying that Greece has borne a disproportionate burden in an area that has brought to the surface disagreements and sub-structural conflicts between member states. "This issue is not open to political instrumentalisation, but on the contrary, it requires a common stance," Ms Sakellaropoulou stressed.
Strong response to Turkish MP
The President of the Republic did not fail to send strong messages to Turkey, noting that it has never accepted the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Ms Sakellaropoulou's response came after provocative references by a Turkish MP who said in an intervention that it is contradictory for Greece to ask to go to The Hague while not recognizing the international court! The President of the Republic replied. In 2015 my country renewed this recognition with a declaration to this effect and adding some specific exceptions following the example of other European and non-European states. On the contrary, Turkey we know has not recognized the above jurisdiction of the court."
What are the conditions on the Greek islands and what is your cooperation with EU countries, asked the Norwegian MP with Sakellaroulou answering that "we accept disproportionate flows of migrants and now they are relatively reduced". "It is an issue that concerns all of us and we all have to lean on it and without solidarity we cannot do it," she added.
As for Greece, Sakellaropoulou said: "Greece's goal was safe infrastructure, the asylum services are completing procedures much faster, the accommodation facilities for unaccompanied minors are supervised and I must have visited such facilities. Much has been done but this is an ongoing claim". On cooperation with other states, he stressed, among other things, that it is multifaceted. "Turkey has stopped accepting returns under the pretext of the pandemic and this is not in favour of working together in harmony."
Source: Proto Thema
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