Our faith in our legal positions is absolute, our strong alliances are unwavering, the capability of our Armed Forces unquestionable. This was emphasized by the Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias, who participated, today, Thursday, July 21, as a speaker at the conference organized by the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism on the subject of “the Law of the Sea” in Kastellorizo.
“This administration,” he added, “has adopted a new approach to its foreign policy, combining our country’s steadfast adherence to international law with the exercise of long-dormant sovereign rights.”
“Kastellorizo”, said N. Hardalias, “is geographically located in an area where the stakes for the Law of the Sea are consistently so high, that its correct application is of great importance for our country”.
“Greece”, he pointed out, “has always maintained a strong interest in the Law of the Sea” and added: “Its development, both conventional and customary, culminated in 1982 with the signing and subsequent entry into force of the United Nations Convention of Nations on the Law of the Sea. A veritable, you will allow me to say, ‘Constitution of the Oceans’, which represents an unprecedented attempt to codify and progressively develop International Law.”
“Greece”, he underlined, “clearly agrees with the internationally formed view that the provisions of the Convention, including those that reflect and codify existing customary principles, represent the main pillars of what we could call an international maritime rule of law”.
For the European Union, N. Hardalias emphasized that “it is part of the Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea”. “Consequently”, he explained, “any violations of Greek sovereign rights are also violations of European sovereign rights. I am convinced that the Europeanization of the foreign policy of the EU member states and in the maritime field will be further strengthened in the coming years.”
Greece, said N. Hardalias, confirms in practice and “actively exercises its rights based on the principles and provisions of the Law of the Sea”. In addition, he continued, “we are shielding our homeland by increasing the deterrent power of our Armed Forces” while, at the same time, “implementing a sound, structured, multidimensional and multi-level diplomacy, with the aim of bringing together like-minded actors with common interests in our region “.
“The destiny of Hellenism throughout the centuries is always determined by our ability to remain united, to adapt and above all to prevail. I am convinced that, despite the extremely serious challenges of our times, our solidarity, determination and commitment to the rule of law they will allow us, once again, to rise to the height of the great challenges, to the height of global circumstances” concluded the Deputy Minister of National Defense.
The former President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos participated in the conference as a keynote speaker, while the event was greeted with a video message by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias. The debate was moderated by the internationalist, Doctor of the University of the Aegean Georgios Noulas.
Also participating were:
– Leonidas Raptakis, Rhode Island State Senator, USA and president of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Effie Triantafilopoulos, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville North Burlington, Ontario Canada and first vice-president of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Steve Georganas, Member at Australian Parliament, second vice-president of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Stephan Pappas Wyoming State Senator, USA and treasurer of the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent, Canada and member of the Board of Directors World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism
– John Spiros Wisconsin State Representative, USA and member of the Board of Directors World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Andrea Michaels, Member at South Australian Parliament, Minister for Small and Family Business and member of the Board of Directors. World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Tom Koutsantonis, Member at South Australian Parliament, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and member of the Board of Directors. World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Michael McCormack, Member at Australian Parliament, former Deputy Prime Minister and member of the Global Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism
– Aris Babikian, Member of Parliament for Scarborough, Canada and member of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism.
In the context of the conference, the mandated Regional Councilor for Education of the South Aegean Region, Christos Bardos, addressed a greeting, while the work of the forum was attended by, among others, the mayor Megistis Georgios Sampsakos.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Deputy Minister of National Defense had a private meeting with the MP and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Michael McCormack.
Source: Capital
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