Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas made the following statement regarding an announcement from New Democracy foreign affairs shadow minister P. Panagiotopoulos:
“Mr. Bagis often resorts to immodest rhetoric that serves Turkey’s communication needs. This is well known, and we always respond appropriately to this rhetoric.
We state, first of all, that any foreign official who visits our country is welcome. Greece is a European democracy where full respect for religious freedoms prevails, as does the harmonious coexistence of Greek citizens of various religions.
Every visitor to our country is obliged to show the requisite respect, particularly as regards the sensitivities of local communities. Greece does not allow anyone to intervene, whether through statements or actions aimed at entrenching or marginalizing our Muslim fellow citizens.
As I have stressed repeatedly, Greek citizens have no need of self-styled protectors in Greece or from abroad. They are participants in a well-governed state that protects their interests and freedoms.
And today we made this clear to the Turkish Ambassador to Greece. The belatedly sensitive Mr. Panagiotopoulos, who has participated in governments that did not show the same sensitivity, would be aware of this had he gone to the trouble of contacting the Foreign Ministry before issuing yet another statement. Our country’s foreign policy and national issues cannot be sacrificed on the altar of easy sensationalism and communication tactics.”
May 23, 2011