‘Zero time’ in Ukraine: Athens coordinates its pace with partners and allies

By Dimitris Gatsios

Athens is coordinating its pace with its European Union partners and NATO allies, with a view to the dramatic developments on the Ukraine-Russia border, which North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described as “the most critical moment for European security in a generation “.

In the aftermath of the extraordinary meeting of the Government of the National Security Council, in which the scenarios and versions on the front of the next moves of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, were examined, the Greek government sends messages of respect to the Prime Minister. already with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in anticipation of the next coordinated moves of Brussels regarding possible sanctions against Moscow.

The possibility of a teleconference of the “27” leaders of the European Union, under Charles Michel, can not be ruled out, in order for Brussels to determine and coordinate the next steps on the κι chessboard of the Ukrainian. This afternoon, the Prime Minister will take part in the extraordinary EPP teleconference at the Summit convened by Donald Tusk, while in the interior and in the energy field, the government sends messages that in the supply of natural gas all the necessary measures have been taken for the continuation of the smooth supply of Greece.

“I want to assure all citizens that we as a government have taken all the necessary measures so that the country’s gas supply remains safe and continues smoothly,” was the characteristic disgust of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

In a state of … alarm

As expected, the… bombs detonated by President Putin on Russia’s border with Ukraine and possible new and escalating incidents keep Athens κατάσταση on high alert. According to information, during the meeting of the Government National Security Council, a thorough discussion was held on Moscow’s moves, with all the scenarios being on the front line. Even, that is, that of rapid escalation. The τά government’s radars, at the same time, are aimed at protecting the Greek community in Ukraine and the large community in Mariupol.

“Greece, as a fundamental principle, respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states. It therefore unequivocally condemns actions that run counter to these values ​​and, as a member state of the European Union and NATO, is already coordinating with its partners to its response must be common and effective… The world community has an opportunity to resist the power of arms, to question borders and international treaties, and 21st century culture and conquest must not allow the world to return to violence “In other eras and in the armed solutions of transnational disputes. On this front the responsibility of governments and peoples is now judged”, Mr. Mitsotakis noted.

“We have very basic and clear priorities. First, it is a matter of principle. Greece is in favor of the territorial integrity of all countries in accordance with the United Nations Charter and world principles and values. However, we also have a special issue: the “protection of the Greek minority from the right and left of the line of contact, a large minority of 150,000 people,” said Nikos Dendias, who participated in the extraordinary council of foreign affairs of the European Union.

As far as natural gas is concerned, our country does not seem to be facing a problem, while scenarios for filling any gaps that may arise were discussed, in case the developments in Ukraine are rapid. “We will deal with any problems either with LNG supplies, or by changing the mix, where necessary, for electricity production, from gas, to oil, or with better management. At the moment, there is no problem on the horizon regarding its supply. There are factories that can produce electricity in different ways, by changing or modifying the mixture.

Within this framework, without disturbing our overall plan, as it has been shaped and progressed, we will do everything possible, so as not to face major problems. “It does not appear on the horizon at the moment that our country will be one of those who, if Russia decides to reduce or cut off gas supplies to Europe, will face a problem,” he said. , Giannis Oikonomou.

K. Mitsotakis in Bucharest

In this fluid international environment, with the balances on the European continent hanging by a thread, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is going to Bucharest today. And this first official visit of the Prime Minister will move in two chapters:

-The first chapter is related to the developments in Ukraine, but also in the Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean region. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Romania, will put on the table the worrying developments in Ukraine, the situation in the Western Balkans, but also the escalation of the Turkish provocation. At the same time, issues of expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, transport and tourism will be on the front line.

-The second chapter is related to the strengthening of the Greek economic and business presence in the region and economic extroversion, but also the expansion of bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, such as that of Civil Protection. According to government officials, the Prime Minister’s visit to one of the most important areas for Greek economic and business activity, signals the desire to strengthen Greek-Romanian relations, a will that will be signaled by the signing of a Joint Declaration between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Romanian counterpart to promote economic and political co-operation.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be accompanied by the Minister of Energy, Costas Skrekas, the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Christos Stylianidis, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, , Costas Frangogiannis, who will have the opportunity to meet with their Romanian counterparts and explore areas of cooperation.

At the same time, Mr. Stylianidis will sign a bilateral agreement with the Romanian Minister of Interior, responsible for crisis management, for cooperation in the field of Civil Protection. The two countries are already co-operating through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, and Romania’s assistance in dealing with the fires that hit the country last August has been substantial in both firefighters and firefighting vehicles. The Prime Minister will also have a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-Romanian Chamber and Greek businessmen operating in Romania.