“The status in the Aegean will not change”

“The status in the Aegean will not change” said PM Giorgos Papandreou, when asked by the president of ND during the discussion on national matters.

Addressing the Greco-Turkish issues, he said that the Greek government wishes for peace and added that war threats have no room in the EU.

“Our policy is the delineation of maritime zones with all our neighbors”, he said, stressing that “good accounts make good friends”.

At the same time he expressed his dissatisfaction over the “prior review” he received before his visit to Turkey, and reiterated that he has no hesitation to speak to any audience and situation, since “short reckonings make long friends”.

Regarding the Cyprus dispute, he said that the government supports president Christofias’ attempts and added that the international community and the EU will not legalize the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

Referring to the Balkans, he said that Greece has a leading role and speaking about the Scopje naming issue, he expressed his pessimism as to whether a solution can be found since, as he stressed, “they are reluctant to accept an all-purpose geographical name identification”.

“To intransigence we reply with the stability of our positions, our initiatives. We will not stop our attempts for a mutually acceptable solution. We have a national strategy with a clear red line”, the PM added.