The main priority of the Greek government is the protection of the approximately 150,000 Greek expatriates living in the wider area of ​​Mariupol, stressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias, after the end of his meeting with the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavsky.

Dendias also referred to the Greek Consular Authorities that “are on the side of both Greek citizens and our expatriates, with a high sense of responsibility, I would say with self-sacrifice. As we speak, our 3rd operation “Nostos 3″ for the evacuation of Greek citizens is in progress, this time from Mariupol, under the coordination of Ambassador Frangiskos Kostellenos, who is participating in the evacuation operation in the motorcade”.

The Foreign Minister pointed out to his counterpart that Greece is the only EU country that has kept its Consulates General in Odesa and Mariupol open. “Our Consul General Mr. Dimitris Dohtsis is in Odesa and our Consul General Mr. Manolis Androulakis is in Mariupol. And I want to tell you honestly that I am very proud of these three of our diplomats, our three diplomats who are in the danger zone and with a high sense of duty are carrying out their mission,” he said.

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, Dendias stressed that Greece has supported and continues to support the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of all countries. “It is obvious that Ukraine could not be an exception for Greece since this principle is a fundamental rule of international law,” he added.

“Greece has always, for reasons of principle, and now, condemned the use of force wherever it comes from. We condemn the threat of violence wherever it comes from. We call for an immediate ceasefire and for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of Ukraine, ” Dendias said.

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