Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias expressed the hope that all countries looking to a European future and in Europe should impose sanctions, after meeting with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra. In joint statements at the Foreign Ministry with Vopke Hukstra, Nikos Dendias stressed that the Russian invasion demonstrates that any revision, any violation of fundamental principles of international law has no place in the international community of the 21st century. He also stressed that the condemnation must be immediate and that severe sanctions must be adopted against those who break the rules. He added that Greece as well as the Netherlands have participated in the imposition of sanctions on Russia despite the price that this decision has for both economies.
“The government is committed to doing everything possible for the Greek community in Ukraine”
During the meeting, it was examined how they can face the biggest European crisis of the 21st century, as Nikos Dendias described it, as European partners, but also NATO allies.
In this context, Nikos Dendias informed his Dutch counterpart about his visit to Odessa yesterday, during which he carried out humanitarian aid, met with members of the Greek community in the city, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, the head of the regional regional administration. , the mayor of Odessa and announced the reopening of the Greek consulate general in the city, the only European consulate there. He said he was carrying humanitarian aid, mainly medicine, and thanked Doctors of the World for their contribution. In fact, he announced that there will be continuity under the coordination of the Director General of Development and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexandros Diakopoulos, because “the Greek government, the Mitsotakis government is committed to do everything possible for the Greek community in Ukraine.”
He also expressed disgust at the “horrific crimes against Ukrainian civilians that were discovered yesterday in Bukhara, near Kyiv” and made it clear that those responsible should be held accountable for their actions, which he unequivocally condemned. Furthermore, he pledged that Greece, with all its capabilities, will contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
“Greek-Dutch relations show an upward trend in recent years”
Beyond Ukraine, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations, which have been on the rise in recent years, as Nikos Dendias noted. In particular, he announced that the prospects of the two countries in the economic sector were examined and noted that the Netherlands holds the first place in terms of foreign investment in Greece. The Netherlands is the largest foreign investor in Greece, he noted characteristically. As the Foreign Minister said, “we agree that our economic relations can be expanded”, noting that the trade balance is dramatically to the detriment of our country and stressed that he wants the two countries to do what they can to balance the picture . In the light of bilateral relations, he added that Greece awaits the official visit of the King of the Netherlands, which was postponed due to developments in Ukraine.
The co-operation between the two countries in the framework of international organizations was also examined, with emphasis on their mutual support for their election to the UN Security Council. Regarding immigration, Nikos Dendias thanked his counterpart for the participation of the Netherlands in Frontex, in the “Poseidon” operation, and therefore in the protection of the Greek external borders of the EU, as he noted.
Support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans
At the same time, the Foreign Minister briefed his Dutch counterpart on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, the Middle East, Libya, the Western Balkans. In this context, Nikos Dendias expressed the joint support of Greece and the Netherlands in the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
On the occasion that the grandfather of the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs was a professor of Ancient Greek, Nikos Dendias expressed his appreciation to the Dutch academic community, with the long tradition of operating Classical Studies departments in Dutch universities.
Finally, Nikos Dendias highlighted the common characteristics of the two countries, emphasizing that they share democracy, human rights, international law, and sent the message that he looks forward to the further development of Greek-Dutch relations based on common principles and common values.
It is noted that next to the analogies of the statements was placed, along with the flags of the two countries and the EU, and that of NATO, due to the current anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty, the founding act of NATO.
Dutch Foreign Minister: The relationship between Greece and the Netherlands is important and excellent
For his part, Dutch Foreign Minister Vopke Hookstra stressed that although bilateral relations are not so long-standing, the ties are close and long-term. “For more than 40 years we have worked closely within the EU and for more than 70 years we have stood together as allies in NATO,” he said. a better future for our two countries and to ensure that the EU will prosper. ”
In this difficult time, as he pointed out, the EU and NATO institutions are very important and stressed that Greece and the Netherlands have made leaps to promote international law, security and a sustainable, innovative and modern Europe.
Focusing on their bilateral friendship and co-operation within the EU, he said it was more important than ever. He went on to say that the two countries should work together and stand united, “so that we can respect the democratic values ​​that are now under threat.”
As for Ukraine, the Dutch Foreign Minister stressed that the two countries and the EU must stand united in this very difficult situation and must act to stop the war. “We must protect Ukraine and protect the European values ​​that are so important to us,” he said. “We will try to help with military, humanitarian and financial assistance in receiving the migrants. We have done it and we will continue to do it in all these aspects, but we also want those responsible for these actions to be held accountable,” he said. of Dutch diplomacy. He added that Russia should pay the price for these actions and noted that the Netherlands supports the investigation of these crimes by the International Court of Justice, as well as that it will financially support the investigation to ensure that justice is done.
It is pointed out that this was Vopke Hookstra’s first visit to Greece as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. “I am always happy to be here in Athens, the cradle of the Republic and the foundation of the future of our continent. It gives me great pleasure to be in Greece, because my grandfather was a teacher of Ancient Greek and my daughter is in the first grade. “A high school student knows about the ancient history of Athens and Sparta”, confessed Vopke Hukstra.
Source: Capital
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