G. Koumoutsakos in Proto: Russia’s suggestions to Greece go beyond the limit of a different position (audio)
“I recognize that they are at war, this war they are waging and they are isolated from the international community. However, their reaction, Ms. Zakharova’s formulations, goes beyond diplomatic practice. Yes, we are in opposite logics at the moment, but suggestions on what the Greek government should do at home or suggestions to Greek society, these go beyond the threshold of a different position in foreign policyHe stressed, speaking to First Program 91.6 and 105.8 and the show “The GPS of News” with Thanos Siafakas, the ND MP, the former Deputy Minister George Koumoutsakos.
“Greece and Russia have completely different policies at the moment. Greece has at the core of its foreign policy a stable order of things, what we call the status quo, respect for international law, territorial integrity, independence, sovereignty, is the core of our foreign policy. The Russian attack on Ukraine is directly contrary to these principles, it is another policy. We took a position of principles and positions because we are a member of the EU. and NATO. They knew this and they know it in Moscow and they should not expect anything different from us when our country is facing a neighbor who has strong elements and implements them, a review policy, a violation of international law.».
“Russia’s criticism has an element of lack of composure, but it is a country that is currently in a war that it wanted and has the international community facing it.”
Asked if Russia thought we would be more balanced in our reactions, Mr. Koumoutsakos said “there is no balanced reaction when a policy is pursued, in fact in your neighborhood, that is directly contrary to your own aspirations and fundamental principles.” They know this and they knew it in Moscow, Greece could not adopt another position. There can be no comparison, which I see being made in the public sphere by some, with the policy pursued in Turkey. The foreign policy of states is not redefined. We do not make a foreign policy similar to that made by Turkey, we are two completely different countries both in geopolitical positions and in size and in matters of principles. Turkey has a traditional, stable, oriental foreign policy prudence and is judged by it, has sold arms in one part of the war and bought arms from the other side, has not thought that Russia is present in Syria, has a multifactorial equation to solve. It is responsible for opening or closing the strait channel, it is another country. I think it is a big mistake in our internal debate, we do not expect Greece, which is a member of the EU, NATO, which relies on these fundamental principles to follow the same policy similar to Turkey. We had to do what we do. “Our policy is determined by our own interests and not by what others do.”
Asked why Greece was specifically targeted by Russia, Mr. Koumoutsakos noted that “Russia considers that Greece, with which it has functional and historical, religious and cultural relations, could adopt a more moderate or more dimensions and position shades. However, they made a mistake in this calculation, because Greece had to send a message in favor of stability and order to Turkey as well. We have our eyes on Ukraine and the drama of the Ukrainian people, but in our minds are the positions we will take today in this conflict, how they will be interpreted or how they will probably be objected to by a neighbor who is considered a threat to the country. Russia seems to have made a wrong assessment, it has not calculated how vital it is to us, we do not insist on a policy against revisionism and against the fundamental principles of International Law. “I think their reaction is a reaction of irritability and a reaction of miscalculation.”
Responding to Thanos Siafakas regarding the strong pro-Russian lobby that exists in Greece, Mr. Koumoutsakos commented that “about the pro-Russian lobby or Russian interests or sensitivities that exist in Greece, the states are not closed in a globalized environment, there are people who they think one way or another. However, in this case, the specific Greek-Russian association took this position because it is obliged to de facto support a policy that concerns the logic of security and defense of our country. There are no discounts here. “When we go to such fundamental issues, national security, national priorities, economy, one is not allowed to ignore anything else, because it is the core of our views.”
Regarding the meeting that the Greek Prime Minister will have in a few days with the Turkish President, Mr. Koumoutsakos said “Greece is not afraid of such a meeting, but on the basis of the clear positions it has expressed. In any case, we will reiterate from the Prime Minister the fundamental positions of Greek foreign policy and the priorities that we are against any revisionism. “The prime minister who has said repeatedly in all his speeches, the last 10 days of a war and a drama of the Ukrainian people, but who have changed the world as we knew it, especially in Europe.”