The Foreign Ministry’s Political Director, Ambassador Petros Mavroeidis, yesterday delivered to the Austrian Ambassador here, Andrea Ikić-Böhm, a demarche regarding the initiative for organizing, in Vienna, a conference of the Interior and Foreign Ministers of Austria and the countries of the Western Balkans.

On the instructions of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, Mr. Mavroeidis stressed, among other things, to the Austrian Ambassador that, through this unilateral move, which is not at all friendly towards our country, an attempt is being made, in the absence of Greece, to take decisions that directly concern Greece and the Greek borders.

He also stated that it is surprising that this initiative was announced just a few hours after the completion of the European Council meeting that looked in detail at the refugee issue, adopting relevant conclusions.

Finally, he underscored that Greece, which is shouldering a disproportionate burden of a refugee and migration crisis caused by the actions of others, will continue to defend the principles, the values, the vision and the name of the United Europe, and will refute all those who undermine in practice the cohesion and vision of the European Union.

A corresponding demarche was delivered by our Embassy in Vienna to the Foreign Ministry of Austria.