The new Deputy Minister of Energy, Nikos Tsafos, responded via a LinkedIn post—later shared on “X”—to criticism from SYRIZA members regarding a past remark he made about the Occupied Territories in Cyprus.

Tsafos reiterated that he has acknowledged his mistake and made it clear that he will not allow anyone to question his patriotism and commitment to Greece and Cyprus.

His full statement:
“In recent days, following the great honor bestowed upon me by the Prime Minister in appointing me as Deputy Minister of Energy, the opposition has attacked me by reviving a post I made in 2020—one I had deleted upon recognizing my serious mistake.

I will not allow anyone to question my patriotism and my dedication to my homeland and Cyprus.

I returned to Greece in 2022 after many years abroad to serve my country during the biggest energy crisis Europe has ever faced. Over the past three years, I have worked tirelessly to defend our nation’s interests.”

SYRIZA Calls for Apology and Dismissal

Earlier, Kostas Zachariadis—a SYRIZA MP—posted on “X,” condemning the new Deputy Minister, stating that when Tsafos worked as an analyst in the U.S., he referred to the Occupied Territories as the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC)—a designation only recognized by Turkey.

Zachariadis’ full post:
“I read an old statement from a Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy who referred to the occupied territories as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.’ I thought he was a minister under Erdogan, but no—he is under Mitsotakis, and his name is Nikos Tsafos.

The new deputy minister, while working as an analyst in the U.S., called the occupied territories the ‘TRNC’—the name recognized only by the occupying power, Turkey.

His excuse that he ‘didn’t have a professional relationship with the Greek government at the time’ is unacceptable. Does that mean that anyone not working for Mitsotakis is free to support Turkey’s revisionist agenda? And to think these people once accused us in Parliament of being an ‘exception to national interests’!

Can someone who made such a statement really be part of the Greek government? I’m sure this hasn’t gone unnoticed by the so-called ‘ultra-patriotic loudmouths’ in politics and the media—yet for some strange reason, they are staying silent.”

Karameros: “Tsafos Must Apologize and Be Removed”

SYRIZA spokesperson Giorgos Karameros also addressed the issue, calling for Tsafos’ dismissal.

“Mr. Nikos Tsafos, who was an energy advisor to the Prime Minister—a brilliant scientist, no doubt—used to refer to the occupied territories as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ when working as an economic analyst.

When confronted about it, what was his response? Let me read his own words: ‘It was a mistake I made while working as an analyst in the United States at a time when I had no professional relationship with the Greek government.’

Excuse me, but serving as a minister is not just a ‘professional relationship.’ And Mr. Mitsotakis needs to understand that you cannot appoint someone as Deputy Minister of Energy—the very person who will negotiate energy deals with Israel, Cyprus, and Turkey—when that person has made such statements and refuses to apologize.

Tsafos must apologize and be removed immediately. It is unacceptable that there isn’t a single minister from Eastern Macedonia or Thrace, from Rhodope, in this government, yet Mr. Tsafos is in office despite using such outrageous terminology. He should not remain in the cabinet for even a minute.”

Tsafos: “It was a mistake and an error… I deleted it”

It is worth noting that Nikos Tsafos himself, in a post on “X” in 2023, acknowledged his mistake, emphasizing that he had deleted the specific reference.