In his interview on Parapolitika 90.1 Radio with journalist P. Tzenos, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis called today’s visit to Evros by the Prime Minister and the leaders of the European Union a highly symbolic political move. “The three pillars of the EU – the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament – will be there. Everyone who makes decisions in Europe and speak for the European Union will be in Evros with the Prime Minister,” he said.
The Alternate Minister decried the “utter exploitation of thousands of people,” whom Erdogan is moving in an organized fashion towards the Greek-Turkish border, calling it “human leverage against Greece” and “clear extortion” directed at Brussels and the European capitals. In the face of this asymmetrical threat, the government responded in a very specific manner: It closed the border. “It said it will not allow illegal entries and, of course, it suspended all asylum-related procedures for the immediate future,” he added.
He also announced that, at Friday's meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Greece will ask for support for the measures it is taking and, at the same time, request activation of all the European mechanisms for protection of borders, as it has already done with Frontex. Moreover, he said, many of his colleagues have already admitted that Greece’s warnings are being borne out and that Europe has not organized its defence against a sudden change in Turkey’s stance and risks appearing divided and weak.
March 3, 2020