There was absolutely no concession, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said on Monday in parliament, adding that permission was never requested.
He explained that permission could never be requested, as there has never been any recognition of Turkiye’s sovereign rights in the area of Kassos, nor would it ever be possible.
“We continue according to our planning the energy security and autonomy of the country,” the minister underlined.
He also spoke of misinformation regarding the incident in Kassos, noting that “the research programme of the Italian ship has been concluded and there has been absolutely no concession.”
Gerapetritis stated that Greece’s strength depends on many factors. “It depends on a strong economy, which is currently booming as well as on a remarkably stable course. It depends on its national defense and I would like to remind you that it was the present government that strengthened the Armed Forces after a decade of significant reduction in personnel and equipment. It is also the present government which ensures that at the international level, with a strong foreign policy, with a strong diplomacy, we have those international alliances to be able to have a say in all international forums as a member-state of the UN Security Council, but also a very strong voice thanks to the excellent foreign policy.”
“Greece will continue its course for an autonomous, optimistic Greece, which has nothing at all to worry about, and will march on the international stage with strong self-confidence,” he concluded.