PASOK leader calls on Mitsotakis to seek European Council statement

Speaking in Brussels while attending a summit of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Androulakis said Ankara's endorsement of the "Blue Homeland" doctrine represented a challenge to Greece's sovereign rights and international law.

“The vote in the Turkish Parliament that codifies the illegal doctrine of the ‘Blue Homeland’ is a direct attack on Greece’s sovereign rights and on international law,” Androulakis said.

He noted that the European Parliament had condemned Türkiye over the issue in a resolution approved on Wednesday, describing the move as the result of an initiative by PASOK and the Socialists and Democrats group.

Calls for similar language in European Council conclusions

Androulakis argued that the Greek government should seek to secure similar wording in the conclusions of the European Council meeting currently underway in Brussels.

“Instead of the government celebrating what is admittedly a national success, it would be preferable for the prime minister to achieve a related decision in the conclusions of the European Council meeting he is attending,” he said.

The PASOK leader also stressed that European solidarity should not be applied selectively and called for the protection of key EU funding mechanisms during negotiations on the bloc’s future budget.

Opposition to cuts in EU funding

Referring to discussions on the European Union's long-term budget, Androulakis said efforts should focus on reducing social and regional disparities across the bloc.

“The aim should be to reduce social and regional inequalities,” he said, adding that there should be no reductions in either the European Union Cohesion Fund or the Common Agricultural Policy.

The remarks come as EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss a range of issues including security, enlargement, migration and the bloc’s next multiannual financial framework.

Source:AMNA