“We are sending a clear message that Greece has both borders and sovereignty, which the Mitsotakis government rightly protects and safeguards,” said Serres MP and Secretary of International Relations of New Democracy Tasos Hadjivassiliou, speaking on OPEN on Tuesday morning, commenting on the latest developments on the migration issue and Libya’s stance.

As he pointed out, the Greek government’s message has two clear recipients: “On the one hand, the illegal traffickers, who must understand that they cannot decide who will and will not enter the European territory through Greece,” and on the other hand, Europe, which must realize that the migration issue remains a European issue. “Greece cannot bear the burden alone on behalf of an entire continent,” he said.

Hadjivassiliou highlighted the geopolitical implications of the situation in Libya, referring to “a divided, problematic country”, which, through its recent verbal warning to Greece, confirms once again that “it is ultimately a factor of destabilisation in the region”. He noted that this declaration is an expected response to Greece’s legal actions on the sea plots south of Crete.

Referring to the Turkey-Libya memorandum, Hadjivassiliou was categorical: “This memorandum is not recognized by anyone in the international community. Only Tripoli and Ankara recognize it.” He also pointed out the contradictions of Libya, which invokes the Law of the Sea while ignoring it in its own actions. He added that “Libya a few weeks ago held a tender respecting the principle of the middle line. So it comes today and says exactly the opposite, contradicting itself,” he said.

The Serra MP backed the Greek government’s strategy towards Libya, stressing the importance of the presence of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in the country, despite the difficult security conditions. “Athens is not afraid to present its national positions and is not afraid to recall what the law says,” he said, while he described as correct the reminder that “every European resource to Libya must necessarily pass through Greece.”

Finally, referring to Turkey’s presence on the Libyan field, he noted that Ankara maintains a military presence in the divided country. On the contrary, he stressed, “Greece is a force for stability, a force for peace.”

Speaking about the OPEKEPE case, Hadjivassiliou clarified for himself that “there is no criminal responsibility, I have nothing to do with pastures and illegal subsidies,” adding that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is rightly investigating the case along with Greek prosecutors. At the same time, he stressed that the reasons for his resignation from the position of Deputy Foreign Minister were on the one hand his decency and on the other hand the closeness he has with the Prime Minister. “People know that I have a self-made course. My conscience is at peace and my relationship with the citizens is undisturbed,” he concluded.