SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance President Alexis Tsipras addresses the parliament while PM Mitsotakis listens. (Photo by Eurokinissi/ Yiorgos Kontarinis)
ATHENS — Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras began his speech in Parliament by attacking Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over his attitude on national issues when he was in opposition.
"We welcome the expansion of the territorial waters of Greece in the Ionian. And of course we welcome you too, Mr. Mitsotakis, to another strategic choice of the SYRIZA government. After Prespes, now our territorial waters in the Ionian," Tsipras said, and recalled that "when our government announced this position, in October 2018, you insulted and undermined it publicly. Both you and your party, which was in opposition at the time. At least you did not declare a great patriotic war over that, as you did for the Prespes Agreement."
The leader of the main opposition accused the prime minister of being inconstant, adding: "But now… you have no problem applauding yourselves and each other. In this way you prove that your inconstancy in foreign policy matters was no mere coincidence, it is your second nature. Because in two crucial foreign policy issues, which we initiated with a sense of national responsibility, you did not hesitate to fight us with hypocrisy, even though you knew that we were right to initiate them and that their completion would benefit the nation, while you were in opposition. Then, once you became a government, you executed a u-turn on both."
Tsipras concluded by saying that the extension of territorial waters in the Ionian Sea was a good step for Greece but warned that "unless it is combined with a serious national strategy for the global, European and regional role of the country, with red lines but also determination and planning for solutions based on international law, we will be faced with even worse developments for the Greek people than those we saw in 2020."
ANKARA – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, May 23 at a press conference following a cabinet meeting that he would cease talking to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and cancel a key meeting between their two countries, as he accused the Greek leader of antagonistic behavior against Turkey, the Associated Press reported.
FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.
PHILADELPHIA – The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley announced that the Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece will be participating in the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade on March 20.
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