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 Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent stern messages to Skopje and Turkey while addressing Greeks living in Belgium. Referring to Skopje, he made it clear that solving the name row is a key prerequisite for the country to earn an EU and NATO membership. “There is no other path,” commented the Greek Premier, also adding that the cries of the neighbouring country’s nationalistic leaders will fall flat. “There is a crystal clear red line,” continued Karamanlis.
Kostas Karamanlis called on expatriate Greeks to vote at the October 4 general elections, while delivering a speech at an event staged by Greeks living in Belgium, an hour before joining the EU Summit on economy.
“We want your participation in what goings on in our country. We want you to join us in the common struggles,” said the Greek Prime Minister, further terming the forthcoming vote as the most crucial one since the restoration of Democracy. “Our economy is at stake. Before the financial turmoil, I never made and I am not making any pledges. We are suggesting harsh yet necessary policies to be followed in the two years to come,” stressed Karamanlis.
Touching on the EU Summit, Karamanlis underlined that Greece will support the need for a joint EU stance on the reform of the global credit system and on the Copenhagen Summit on climate change. The Greek head of government did not miss highlighting the Greek Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas’ contribution, arguing that Greece backs the Commission’s efforts for an unquestionable agreement in Copenhagen.
“We want a stable country with EU behavior,” as well as a mutually acceptable solution to the name row, commented Karamanlis while referring to FYROM. “We are after a composite name for all uses,” said the Prime Minister, further adding that good neighbourly relations are a necessary prerequisite for Skopje to join both the EU and NATO institutions. “We have shaped a crystal clear red line, from which we won’t step back,” asserted he.
Shifting his attention to the Cyprus standoff and Turkey’s stance, Kostas Karamanlis underlined that the violence dividing the island into two and the occupation of EU land has to come to an end. He then urged Turkey to commit to the agreement for the readmission of illegal immigrants.
The Prime Minister then stated that the regime in the Aegean won’t change, neither with threats nor with provocations. “Our national security, sovereignty and pride are what matter the most,” said he.
Addressing the expatriate Greeks and touching on their right to vote, Karamanlis blasted PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) for saying no to the right of Greeks living beyond Greece to vote, despite the fact that it had agreed.
Karamanlis slammed PASOK for sharing empty promises, which would lead to a rise in spending and cost more than 10 billion euros if they were to come to force. “The national interest has been and is my only concern,” stressed the Prime Minister and said: “In this vote, we are choosing between truth and populism, between responsibility and irresponsibility, between and real plan to address the crisis and larger-than-life promises. ND is the political party of responsible choices.”
Source: NET 105.8, 17 September 2009
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Greek News
