According to article 146 of the penal code, “Anyone who deliberately and illegally discloses or leaves to possession or knowledge of others any documents, plans, or other items or information that the interests of the state or of its allies require them to remain secret to a foreign government, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 10 years”. Moreover, article 26 of the National Security Regulation stipulates that “the reproduction of the whole or part of an ETNA document is strictly prohibited”.
The country’s foreign policy and national interests transcend any disagreements or confrontations between political parties. Consequently, the opposition cannot, in the name of party confrontations, violate the penal code that it voted through and the National Security Regulation that it adopted in June 2004.
Demonstrating great patience and a sense of responsibility, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, N. Kotzias, has preserved silence thus far, in order to safeguard national security and national interests, which others are unfortunately immolating, in the service of party-political expediencies.
However, we are now in the unpleasant position of publicly calling on the opposition parties to conduct themselves, at long last, responsibly, prudently and soberly.
November 22, 2017