Clear distance from the remarks of New Democracy’s parliamentary spokesperson, Makarios Lazaridis—who, in today’s parliamentary confrontation over the events at Imia, accused PASOK of giving Turkey grounds to speak of grey zones and to build narratives about “Blue Homelands”—was taken through statements from New York by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, where he was participating in a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

Asked by ERT about the statements in Parliament regarding grey zones, Mr. Gerapetritis stressed:
“Turkey’s notion of grey zones is absolutely unfounded. It has absolutely no basis or legal argument. Our longstanding national position is that international law has a clear stance. We do not discuss any issue of national sovereignty. No government, no minister will ever deviate from this fundamental position.”

“The international footprint of Greece is growing; it is being shielded against any potential encroachment, and for this reason I believe it is important for all of us together to work in this direction, without inward-looking divisions and with our eyes on strengthening our country,” the Foreign Minister added.

It is recalled that earlier today, speaking in Parliament, Mr. Makarios Lazaridis had attributed heavy responsibility to PASOK for its handling of the crisis, arguing that the then governing party bears very serious responsibility for what happened on the fateful night at Imia.

“You led the country to a questioning of our sovereign rights. You led three heroic pilots to their deaths because you did not give rules of engagement to the Armed Forces. When the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff was asked what the rules of engagement meant, Simitis gave no answer. Greece never accepted grey zones,” he said, adding that “PASOK’s handling of the Imia crisis gave Turkey the pretext to invoke them. All this bears the stamp of Simitis’s PASOK.”

For his part, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis called on the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to condemn New Democracy’s parliamentary spokesperson. Subsequently, after Gerapetritis’s statement from New York, PASOK returned to the issue with an announcement issued by its press office, calling on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to remove Makarios Lazaridis from the position of New Democracy’s parliamentary spokesperson.

“The divisive and nationally dangerous statements of Mr. Makarios Lazaridis today in Parliament reproduce not only far-right rhetoric but Turkey’s own propaganda and illegal claims in the Aegean. After the clear disavowal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister is obliged to remove Mr. Makarios Lazaridis from the position of his party’s parliamentary spokesperson—unless, of course, he agrees with him,” PASOK stated.

Full statements by Gerapetritis

JOURNALIST: Minister, what were the main points of your statement today at the Security Council?

G. GERAPETRITIS: First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences for the loss of seven young people yesterday. It was an unspeakable tragedy, because Greece—the Greek state—stood by the families of the deceased and the injured from the very first moment. With a special flight of the Hellenic Air Force, the bodies will return to Thessaloniki tomorrow, and with a special EKAB flight an injured person will return to his city for further medical care.

Today I had the opportunity at the Security Council to speak on behalf of Greece on issues concerning the Middle East. Greece, with absolute respect for international law and international multilateralism, supports every initiative aimed at peace in the long-suffering region of the Middle East. We stated that today, above all, the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid must be ensured, and that every initiative leading to sustainable peace in the region should be undertaken. Greece will be present in the day after, with traditional, strong relations with the entire Arab world and with the strategic relationship it has with Israel.

In addition, I had the opportunity to speak on the issue of Syria. Greece has a special interest in the Syrian issue. The ceasefire agreements that have been concluded must be strictly observed. Any incident of violence must be subject to very thorough investigation and there must be full accountability. The government of Syria must ensure full respect for the human rights of all Syrian citizens, especially those of national and religious minorities.

JOURNALIST: How do you comment on the statements made in Parliament regarding grey zones?

G. GERAPETRITIS: Turkey’s notion of grey zones is absolutely unfounded. It has absolutely no basis or legal argument. Our longstanding national position is that international law has a clear stance. We do not discuss any issue of national sovereignty. No government, no minister will ever deviate from this fundamental position. Greece is expanding its international footprint and is being shielded against any potential encroachment, and for this reason I believe it is important for all of us together to work in this direction, without inward-looking divisions and with our eyes on strengthening our country.