G. Gerapetritis: Greece will not engage in war in Ukraine, but will provide support

“Greece will stand with Freedom, it will stand with the right side of history. a national mistake “, this was stressed, speaking to ERT1 by the Minister of State George Gerapetritis, at the same time explaining the” why “:

“It is a mistake to ignore the fact that at the moment Greece, like all allied countries in the West, has a legal obligation to provide this assistance, and for this reason the vast majority of countries have provided both humanitarian aid and The second thing that has the greatest national value is the fact that when you offer this kind of classified aid, you have put a negative mortgage on the future. which is why we want to be very clear and send a message to everyone: that, if necessary, Greece should have full support, and you only have full support when you have In some cases, you have also supported the defender, the one who defends his sovereignty, his freedom “.

Given the opportunity, the Minister of State assured that “Greece is not going to be involved in the conflict in Ukraine, with an armed body it is not going to be involved”, however, on the other hand, “we have a full obligation to provide material, and defense, to Ukraine”.

At the same time, he pointed out, “Greece is the only country that has maintained consular centers in all major cities, both in Odessa and in Kyiv and Mariupol. We are the only country that has organized three operations for the exit of Greeks who were interested in “although, he added,” the vast majority of Greek expatriates chose to remain in the country, weighing the risks of such a move. ” While assuring that our country will receive the way typical of the refugee wave, giving in the first phase a residence permit for one year, in addition there will be a comprehensive plan for the absorption of labor of people who will come uprooted from their homeland.

The Mitsotaki-Erdogan meeting is necessary, but under conditions

Asked about Ankara’s diplomatic gains, the Minister of State said that “there is no diplomatic upgrade for Turkey”. After all, he argued, “he chose an ambiguous stance, which seeks to acrobatic between its own political, diplomatic benefits and that which the West has chosen, namely the imposition of severe sanctions. It is not the right stance but Turkey itself is the one who will judge it “.

On the issue of a possible meeting of the two leaders, Greece and Russia, the Minister of State referred to the position of the Prime Minister, that “we should keep open the channels of communication with Turkey. The meeting that could take place between the leaders of the two countries is necessary, geography binds us “.

After all, he added, there are many open issues that could be promoted, “a more positive agenda that may have to do with energy, tourism, civil protection. Dialogue is always useful, but the basic condition must always be met.” “any bona fide international dialogue, which is the belief in the basis of international law and the renunciation of any revisionist strategy – and this is extremely crucial.”

And then, “Greece’s attitude is determined by the fact that we stand in the face of any revising perspective in Europe and especially in our neighborhood. The international status quo is what ensures peace, global and regional, that is the basis of the debate. “Anything that revises this long-standing framework of international diplomacy is dangerous for all of us.”

Message to the Russian embassy

Asked to comment on the latest post of the Russian embassy in Athens with the recommendations to the Russian citizens living in our country, G. Gerapetritis noted that “in a civilized state with respect for the rule of law and international humanity, there is absolutely no danger for a citizen of any country to the extent that he does not take aggressive action against the country “. He accused the Russian embassy that “it has a one-sidedness in the way it deals with the war, it is the attacking country, the one that opposes international peace. Unfortunately, every war has this kind of distortion, the attacker appears to be morally justified.” .

At this point, in fact, he underlined the actions of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which “has shown a very responsible attitude since the beginning of this conflict, having its eye on ensuring primarily the Greek community and the international order and peace”, while it has has already taken action against the Russian embassy, ​​stating at the same time that “any attitude of the Greek government, but also as far as I can interpret, and the West as a whole, is not directed against the Russian people but against the Russian government alone. “.

Conscious choice for collateral loss

Regarding the development of the war, G. Gerapetritis seemed pessimistic, saying that “every day that passes creates a bigger problem for everyone, and this is because it becomes more difficult for Russia to get out of this tug of war”, while the refugee current grows. . “We must first ensure a ceasefire, a safe passage for all citizens who choose to leave Ukraine, and above all we must ensure that there are no attacks on civilians,” he said. , at this point, on the offensive side: “This is not a simple targeting of strategic goals but a, in my view, conscious choice to have collateral losses while recognizing this possibility. you accept the possibility of insulting civilians – and that is something that is completely unacceptable in modern international humanity. ”

On the subject of economics, “we are all concerned about the economic consequences, of course there will be economic consequences”, he clarified in his introductory phrase, adding that “it costs to stand on the right side of history, with international humanity, to provide the necessary assistance “All of Europe, the whole universe will have an economic burden from the choice, but it is the right choice in the long run.”

Referring to the international initiative taken by the Greek government, through the Prime Minister, so that there is support especially in terms of energy costs “, he underlined the first concern of the government, which is to have sufficient reserves: therefore” already to “In this regard, there has been a comprehensive plan to upgrade stocks through liquefied natural gas, the possibility of setting up back-up plants, and even operating oil-gas plants.”

He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was not the answer. in the context of the budgetary area “.

Not in speculation

On the profit margin, he emphasized that a company could not speculate on basic goods in the midst of war. While commenting on the request of political parties, citizens and so on. for horizontal tax reduction, the Minister of State responded with three arguments: “First, it is not at all certain that this reduction will reach the consumer because in the intermediate stages of the supply chain this benefit can be absorbed, (after all) the crucial thing is to reduce “Second, there is a huge financial cost. And third, and more important: the issue is not to empower the big consumer. The issue is to empower the vulnerable.”

A package in favor of the vulnerable

The interview closed with the Minister of State quoting a package of popular and targeted measures, as he pointed out: starting with the check of accuracy, which “will come in March and through which we will support the vulnerable in a targeted and not horizontal way”. Second measure, the increase in wages: “from May 1, we will have a significant increase in the minimum wage, which will include at least small and medium-sized wages.” Third dimension, the reduction of taxes, an issue in which G. Gerapetritis focused in particular on the “average reduction of ENFIA by 34%”, a measure that will result in “80% of households to experience this significant tax reduction, they “So it’s a targeted tax action.”

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ