For some time now, I have expressed my concerns regarding our national issues. Unfortunately, recent developments have borne out my warnings. Sovereignty in the Spotlight: Samaras demands answers on Crete deal and Kasos obstruction.
As a former Prime Minister, I do not have the right to remain silent when it comes to the country.
For that reason, I place before the Greek people two serious matters and demand immediate answers from the government.
First, as has been revealed, the agreement between Greece and the Chevron consortium concerning exploration and drilling in the maritime blocks south of Crete included last-minute clauses which imply — indirectly but clearly — the potential concession of sovereign rights. How are these contractual terms compatible with the government’s triumphant claims that the deal represents a vote of confidence in Greece’s national positions?
Specifically, the agreement — which was approved by the Court of Audit — provides, among other things, for the “withdrawal of the company from areas that may not form part of the Greek continental shelf or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)”, for “areas over which the Hellenic Republic will not hold sovereign rights”, for the “loss of a delimited area”, and for “renunciation, even where an exploitation area has already been designated”.
What sort of agreement is this? Are we legislating for the possible withdrawal from our own blocks? Is Greece negotiating its sovereign rights? With whom? And since when?
Second, last week the Cypriot Government Spokesperson stated explicitly that research activity near Kasos was obstructed by Turkey and that, because of Turkey, the surveys were not completed. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has categorically declared that “the research programme was fully completed and there was absolutely no retreat whatsoever.”
So I ask plainly: Is Cyprus lying?
This is not what one would describe as “calm waters”.
