The logic of addressing emergency crisis situations seems to be gaining more ground in the EU than the logic of “economic orthodoxy” and this is the negotiating battle we are going to fight so as to tackle the energy crisis, said Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, speaking today on “Parapolitika 90.1” Radio Station with journalist Panagiotis Tzenos.
Mr. Varvitsiotis reminded that the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had already asked at the previous EU Council for the establishment of a new support mechanism, while tomorrow, in view of the Summit, the debate will begin in the General Affairs Council, where Mr. Varvitsiotis will participate, aiming to seek ways of organizing this mechanism and to curb the objections of the countries of “economic orthodoxy”. “Europe, in the face of major crises, is getting stronger instead of weaker”, the Alternate Minister pointedly said and mentioned that the focus of the discussions is primarily to establish a new support Facility and, secondly, a mechanism to bypass markets and put a cap on prices, especially on gas prices.
As far as the situation in Ukraine is concerned, Mr. Varvitsiotis said that no one can estimate how and when the war will end because, while we are already in the fourth week of the invasion, the Ukrainians are strongly confronting the Russians and Russia is entrapped. The Alternate Minister reiterated that Greece is on the right side of history, standing by the side of Ukraine along with NATO and the EU. Turkey, on the other hand, the Alternate Minister pointed out, plays a dual role, but its European partners are not pleased with the fact that it is not cooperating with Europe in imposing sanctions.
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, the Alternate Minister underscored that Greece is firmly oriented towards dialogue, but also prepared to address any other development, building alliances and strengthening its deterrent power. In this direction, as Mr. Varvitsiotis said, Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ meeting with Mr. Erdogan demonstrated that there is room for dialogue so as to tone down rhetoric and refrain from constantly pounding the drums of war.
