Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ statements to journalists on the margins of the extraordinary EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels (3 March 2014)

E. VENIZELOS: The crisis in Ukraine has to be de-escalated. We mustn’t return to the cold-war era. Europe’s policy is a policy of principles. For us, respect for international law, respect for the existing borders – for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states – are fundamental principles.

Of course, our reaction has to be clear and absolute, but also calm and productive. Because naturally we cannot underestimate the role of Russia and of Euro-Russian relations, not just on the European continent, but on the global stage. There are solutions that, through dialogue, can be implemented and succeed. Dialogue is an imperative of international law.

So we have an opportunity today, as the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, to draw up a comprehensive framework for the progress of Ukraine, for overcoming Ukraine’s domestic crisis, but also for averting tensions, for averting an escalation that would be to everyone’s detriment.

JOURNALIST: Mr. President, in Athens the opposition reacted to your trip to Kiev. What’s your comment on that?

E. VENIZELOS: I am sincerely very dismayed, because I conveyed to the Greek community of Mariupol the concern, care and affection of the whole of the Greek state, of all the Greek political forces, and not just of the government. I am also dismayed at the fact that party leaders, like Mr. Tsipras and Mr. Kammenos – who appear to be working in coordination with one another – are attempting to shift the tactics and tone they use in domestic politics onto international policy issues. In domestic politics, much can be forgiven: many inflammatory and irresponsible stances. But when you apply these tactics in European and international politics, you can find yourself marginalized, vitally damaging Greek national interests.