The challenge of the refugee issue then occurred in an aggressive way in Evros. Now, with a humanitarian dimension, it is located in the sea and on a remote and European island, said the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during joint statements with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The prime minister described the fire in Moria refugee camp as sad events adding that “injuries or fatalities were fortunately averted.”
“Hundreds of unaccompanied refugee children have been evacuated from the island. A temporary reception center has already opened with better conditions than those prevailing in Moria,” he noted. “Greece will continue to strictly protect its borders in Evros and at sea. Europe shoulders the unbearable burden of our common problem. It’s time for European support to be translated into concrete solidarity.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that they discussed the developments with Charles Michel “at a fragile period throughout the Mediterranean,” noting that Turkey, “unfortunately, has been threatening stability, challenging the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus in recent months.”
The prime minister pointed out that the views with the president of the European Council are identical and stressed: “This is where the strategic, geopolitical interests of the EU are at stake.”
He wished any developments in Ankara’s behavior to be positive: “The framework of consequences has already been clarified. The time has come for deeds and not for words. Turkey still has time, before and after the Summit, to continue the first encouraging step of disengagement from the crisis.” He also noted:
“As far as we are concerned, what I have said many times is true. End of provocations, beginning of discussions. Once we have tangible evidence, we are ready to immediately start exploratory contacts with Turkey for this dispute. Until there is a final demarcation, either by agreement of two parties or by a decision of an international court, the Law of the Sea prohibits unilateral actions.”
Source: ANA-MPA