State Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, in comments on Greece’s relations with Turkey, on Tuesday said that “Greece will not be taken by surprise” but “stoutly defend its rights deriving from its sovereigty and under international law”, in an interview with the newspaper “Manifesto”.
On the government’s economic policy he offered assurances that “we will continue to support those in need”.
Asked if he is afraid of a “hot incident” in the Aegean during the summer, Gerapetritis said that the government is not worried but remains vigilant and ready on both a diplomatic and operational level. “As long as the unprovoked aggressiveness and the historically groundless and illegal revisionist aims continue, Turkey will find itself opposed not only by Greece but all its allies and the western world”.
On the possibility of an initiative to reverse the tense climate, Gerapetritis noted that “our foreign policy is a policy of principles. We believe that there must be channels of communication open between the two countries in order for our differences to be resolved peacefully. But there has to be a common understanding on at least the basics (issues)”.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
