Alternate Foreign Minister G. Katrougalos briefs MPs on the Brexit process

Briefing the MPs of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on European Affairs today, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos stressed that the European Commission's proposal, which was approved by the European Council, is balanced, as it clarifies that the United Kingdom cannot have more rights than when it was a member, though this does not mean that the negotiations will be vindictive or punitive in nature.

During the negotiations, Mr. Katrougalos added, all of the member states will have a unified voice, but this does not mean that we will not defend our national interests.

The immediate priority for Greek foreign policy, Mr. Katrougalos stressed, is to safeguard the post-Brexit rights of the 70,000 Greeks and 250,000 Greek Cypriots residing in the UK.