“From his constant references to fake news and extremist statements, it is now clear that Erdogan is agitated. His conduct shows he is prone to destabilisation, which is not making him stronger; it is probably isolating him further.”
Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis made this and other comments during his interview with Newsit’s Magda Tsegou.
More specifically, the Alternate Minister accused Turkey of weaponizing refugees and migrants in a vile and provocative manner, violating international law and creating human shields to achieve other ends. He also welcomed the resounding manner in which the European leadership responded to Turkey’s blackmail.
According to the Alternate Minister, Turkey is trying to transform the crisis from a political and diplomatic crisis into a military one. He also called for people to remain calm, because this is our negotiating card, noting that the law enforcement authorities are doing their job very well.
Commenting on the recent Mitsotakis-Merkel meeting, he highlighted that it is very important for Turkey to agree that Frontex carry out surveillance of its territorial waters.
Asked about the coronavirus’s impact on the economy, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that specific initiatives need to be taken to help European economies absorb the shock, which in the case of Greece would also mean discussing reduction of primary surpluses.
March 13, 2020