Alternate Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou stressed the following in her rejoinder to a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Committees on European Affairs and Defence and Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question from New Democracy shadow foreign minister Panos Panagiotopoulos on the issue of the Italian research vessel EXPLORA:
“There was no difference of opinion on how to deal with the matter. The government and the Foreign Ministry took all the necessary actions to safeguard our country’s rights and interests.
As we informed the representatives of the parties at the National Council on Foreign Policy, the Italian research vessel EXPLORA asked for and received permission from the competent Greek authorities, based on international law and within the framework of Greek jurisdiction. The harassment of the vessel by the Turkish navy, and all the actions that followed, were irregular and counter to the rules of international law. For that reason, the Greek Embassy in Ankara made a demarche to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
On 28 March 2011, it was ascertained by the competent services of the Foreign Ministry that, contrary to assurances received up to that time from the Italian side, and in spite of the relevant provisions of the Law of the Sea, the company managing the vessel had requested permission from Turkey, as well. The Foreign Ministry reacted immediately. A strong protest and demarche was made to Italy. Moreover, the EXPLORA’s permit was revoked and a new permit will not be issued for completion of the vessel’s work.”
March 30, 2011