Droutsas on Kastellorizo
Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas stressed on Monday from the islet of Rho, in the extreme southeast Aegean, that "Greece's sovereign rights are totally guaranteed".
The Alt. FM, who is in the region within the framework of his stay in nearby Kastellorizo island, made the comment in response to the recent Turkish activities in the Aegean Sea.
"Just recently, the Turkish FM requested to be received in our country as a neighbour and a friend and that's what we did - because we mean what we say. Therefore, we demand that the other side display equal consistency between words and deeds," he said, adding that there is "no room for 'sly tricks' and provocations".
Droutsas stated that "such practices cannot hurt Greece's sovereign rights which are totally guaranteed," adding that "such practices, that reveal different intentions from those put forth by our interlocutors, can dispute the credibility and confidence, necessary elements for this policy to have a positive result."
"Everyone should know that the Greek-Turkish rapprochement policy we implement is our choice and does not constitute a one-way street for Greece," he said.
"A precondition for the attempted rapprochement and cooperation to have a future and a positive result is to be mutually beneficial and be based on the respect of International Law and our sovereign rights. Everything can be assessed and revised along the way," he pointed out.
During his stay on Kastellorizo, Droutsas met with local authorities, including the police and the Coast Guard while he also met with local people.
He visited the military unit based on the island and the outposts on the islands of Rho and Stronggyli.
Wrapping up his visit to Kastellorizo, Droutsas pointed out that "the government's top priority is to exercise a comprehensive policy on the border islands, particularly those of major national and strategic importance, such as Kastellorizo."