“Peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, understanding and respect for international law,” emphasizes Nikos Androulakis in a statement to “Parapolitika” newspaper, noting that “the dangerous escalation in the Middle East causes legitimate concern, as the risk of a generalized regional conflict with serious consequences for international security and stability is visible.”
The president of PASOK-Movement for Change emphasizes that “Iran’s authoritarian regime has for many decades oppressed the Iranian people by violating fundamental rights and freedoms, while it has chronically followed a path that contributed to the destabilization of the region.” However, he underlines, “the ‘preemptive’ military attack by the US and Israel without a UN Security Council decision constitutes a blatant violation of international law, something that the Secretary-General of the Organization has also pointed out.”
Mr. Androulakis notes that “our homeland is a factor of stability and always committed to respect for international law, that is, the letter and spirit of the rules of international legitimacy.” He emphasizes that under this prism, his position is that “Greece’s military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean should aim exclusively at protecting the Republic of Cyprus, which is closer to the war zone.” In this context, he emphasizes that “the unity of Hellenism is a strategic choice,” adding that “moreover, the common defense space between Greece and Cyprus was built under PASOK governments, as was the greatest diplomatic success of the post-junta era: Cyprus’s entry into the European Union with the Cyprus issue unresolved.” “Today, the assistance of other European countries to Cyprus is the practical manifestation of European solidarity,” he adds.
Androulakis: There must be no scenario of our country’s involvement in the war
“However,” continues the PASOK president, “I must further emphasize that there should be no scenario of our country’s involvement in the war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran. And as I said in Parliament, no military operation should start from the bases located in our country.”
At the same time, he notes that “this new crisis also highlights the need for a coherent and unified European foreign policy.” “Greece, as a member state of the European Union and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, must remain steadfastly committed to international law and actively support every diplomatic initiative for de-escalation,” he adds.
In conclusion, Mr. Androulakis argues that “peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, understanding and respect for international law.”
