N. Androulakis from Lemnos: The only way is the arms embargo against Turkey

“In the face of the challenges we have seen recently from Mr Akar and other members of the Turkish government, our position is clear. It is inconceivable that there are European Union countries, such as Spain and Germany, that continue to equip “Finally, through the new French presidency under Mr. Macron, there must be a decision in the Council that will not allow these countries to have such synergies with the Turkish leadership,” said the President of PASOK and the Movement for Change. , Nikos Androulakis, in a speech by members and friends of the Movement yesterday late in the afternoon in Lemnos.

Mr Androulakis also referred to the refugee issue, stressing the need to revise the Dublin Regulation. “The French presidency will be an opportunity to discuss the Dublin revision, which is a very crucial policy to stop our islands and Greece as the first country of admission from having the burden of dealing with refugees and migrants. So these policies must “They should be implemented immediately, through a negotiating framework of our country in the European Council. I consider that a change of baton towards the French leadership is an important opportunity and the government should push in this direction as well.”

Regarding the pandemic and the suffering that thousands of our fellow citizens experience every day due to the lack of several free test points, Mr. Androulakis stressed that “it is unthinkable these days, when there is a lot of pressure and thousands of cases, not to increase the points where citizens can do free rapid test and PCR test and see these very long queues “. He added that “it is also inconceivable here on the islands that we should firmly support insularity, that the policy of reduced VAT should continue to exist and that it should continue to be linked only to the refugee-immigrant. When we say support for insularity, we also mean “policy of reduced VAT. And we as a party will insist in this direction.” In fact, he recalled his question as an MEP to the former Commissioner of Finance Mr. Moskovisi, where it had been proven that it was not then a choice of the troika not to have a reduced VAT but of the Greek government.

At the same time, the President of PASOK and the Movement for Change stressed that “there must be brave support from the welfare state services in Lemnos and the other islands, with a stronger welfare state of public health and public education.” As Mr. Androulakis said, “through these services to empower citizens, reduce inequalities and give perspective to increase the population of our islands. It is the only way to have long-term prosperity.” He added characteristically: “This is our effort and I am very happy to start here from our islands and especially from Lemnos, the path to the Greek people”.

Regarding the course of the Movement, Mr. Androulakis pointed out that “our Party will start a new effort after the procedures for the election of leadership, with self-organization everywhere in Greece. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, “This effort will be postponed for a while. However, we are trying with fruitful efforts regarding the pandemic, its health and financial part, to be close to the Greek people and to correct the mistakes made by the government.”