Key points of Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis at the Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (15 September 2020)

In his briefing this morning of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Committee of Ministers Miltiadis Varvitsiotis reviewed the progress of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe and the upcoming Athens Declaration. He also responded to questions from MPs/members of the Assembly regarding the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the migration crisis, developments in Belarus and the Navalny case, and he also raised the issue of the conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora into mosques.

The Alternate Minister stressed that the Greek Chairmanship has stepped up its preparations for the signing of the Athens Declaration in November, on the issue of protection of Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights in times of pandemic. “This is something we owe to the citizens of Europe,” he said. He added that the Council of Europe must remain an active pillar of the European legal system and European values.

Regarding the developments in Belarus, on which the institutions of the Council of Europe focused during their meeting in August, Mr. Varvitsiotis expressed his concern regarding the protection of human rights in the country, highlighting the need to initiate a broad dialogue with the participation of citizens – a dialogue that will lead to peaceful resolution of the crisis and the necessary reforms.

In his address, Mr. Varvitsiotis, having expressed his regret that the Council of Europe didn't take a stand on the major provocation of the conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora into mosques, he called these actions a profound affront to the identity of these two emblematic cultural monuments. He stressed that Hagia Sophia in particular is a symbol of religious freedom and tolerance that should continue to represent pluralism and multiculturalism. “Monuments of global cultural heritage should not be used for religious acts,” he underscored.

Responding to questions from Turkish MPs, the Alternate Minister sent a clear message for de-escalation of the tension with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. He explained that Greece cannot return to the negotiating table with its neighbour when the other side, having put the gun on the table, has said, “either you agree with me, or we go to war.” “This isn't the kind of dialogue we are waiting for. And nor is the presence of warships a sign of promoting stability, security and peace in the region,” he commented.

Mr. Varvitsiotis also talked about the practice of utilising migrants and refugees – a practice Turkey is implementing for political reasons. He strongly condemned these practices as contrary to the principles and values of the Council of Europe and sternly demanded that these practices cease immediately. He categorically ruled out that Greece is carrying out pushbacks on its borders. He stressed that our country is implementing a policy of strict guarding of its borders, always in accordance with the dictates of the European legal framework. He insisted that Turkey has the obligation to guard its borders and not allow illegal influxes into the EU, in accordance with the provisions of the 2016 EU-Turkey Joint Statement, “which Turkey, however, has not fully implemented up till now.”

He also referred to the need for respect of the principles of Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights in Turkey. He referred in particular to the detained mayors who are members of the Turkish opposition, as well as the case of the imprisoned Turkish entrepreneur/activist Osman Kavala.

Regarding the case of the Russian politician Navalny, the Alternate Minister asked that an independent investigation be carried out to reveal what really happened.

Finally, responding to a question on Moria, the Alternate Minister called the destruction of the camp a major humanitarian disaster, setting out in detail the efforts of the Greek state to immediately provide sanitary and safe shelter for those who had been staying at the camp. “We are called upon to protect the human rights and sense of security of European citizens,” he said. However, he also informed the members of the Assembly that the reluctance on the part of some migrants to enter the new structures is an attempt to exert additional pressure on Greece and the European Union.


September 15, 2020

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