Next to the Greek Prime Minister at the time of the attack with a Russian missile in Odessa, the Minister of State Stavros Papastavrou tells, in the newspaper “Kathimerini”, how the Greek delegation experienced the incident, while he also talks about many other current issues.
However, starting from the Novartis case and the self-criticism of the former prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, the Minister of State replies: “Mr. Tsipras’s self-criticism was incomplete. On April 20, 2016, as prime minister, answering a question from the then leader of the official opposition in The Plenary of the Parliament, Kyriakou Mitsotakis, had stated that if I was justified, as it was, he would apologize. Mr. Tsipras continues to deny me basic moral justification, as a minimum compensation for the mud and drag that he suffered for six years. Six nightmare years, not only for me, but for my children, my wife, my parents, my friends. I wish that no one ever experiences the injustice, the slander and, above all, the hatred that I experienced from my political opponents.”
Asked about the former prime minister, Antonis Samaras, he notes that “an “invisible thread” connects the government of the country of Antonis Samaras in 2012-2014 with – from 2019 – the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It was that government that then, in exceptional circumstances difficult times, kept – with the sacrifices of the Greek people – Greece in the Eurozone. With self-sacrifice and patriotism. It was that government that laid the foundations, on which the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans and implements its reform program. A program that led Greece in recovering the investment grade, in strengthening its deterrent capacity more than ever and in achieving macroeconomic indicators that a few years ago seemed impossible. So, Mr. Samaras, whom I always respect, is entitled to express his opinions and disagreementsas a former prime minister who, after all, also has special intervention privileges from the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament”.
In relation to the government planning for ‘Persons with Disabilities’, St. Papastavrou, as having the relevant government responsibility, states that “in the coming weeks, the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2024-2030, which is adopted for the first time in the history of our country, will be put up for public consultation, with specific goals and actions in every ministry, while also mobilizing the Local Self-Government. Every issue that concerns all Greeks is a national issue. Improving the quality of life of over one million of our fellow citizens with disabilities is a national issue. The National Strategy has at its core inclusion and sets the goal of “double convergence”, i.e. improving the quality of life of people with disabilities, both in terms of the general population of the country and in terms of people with disabilities in the European Union”.
In the matter of Fr. Beleri, after pointing out that “the Beleri case seriously exposes Albania and its institutions”, then argues: “Serious doubts are created about the reliability of the process and the objectivity of the judicial judgment. The presumption of his innocence was violated with series of statements that discounted his conviction. The Greek government has raised and will continue to raise the issue systematically in all European fora. It has also connected Albania’s European course with respect for the Rule of Law. Consider: the unelected mayor Heimarras has remained for 10 months in the elected position, who is in prison. This is not a bilateral issue, but primarily a European one. Freddy Beleris must be sworn in as mayor of Heimarras, released immediately and given a fair trial in the second degree of jurisdiction . Greece will continue to monitor the matter closely,” he explains, closing the relevant answer.
In view of the European elections, and when asked about the rise of populism on our continent, the Minister of State underlines that “New Democracy has always been a bulwark against dead-end and costless populism, for which, after all, our country has paid dearly. This is what is at stake of the European elections of 2024. If we are going to move towards a competitive, strong Europe that initiates cooperation in the defense industry, if we are going to strengthen the forces of unity and progress, which move Europe and Greece forward, or those of populism, which endanger our future. Voting for ND is a European, patriotic vote. This is how we strengthen our country’s position in a united Europe.”
And, closing with the Russian missile attack on Odessa, he states: “It was a terrifying moment. The piercing siren, followed by the deafening bang and then the smoke from the explosion – not too far from our mission – caused a series of intense emotions that overwhelmed us all. In Ukraine, war does not discriminate. It is a constant battle for life, liberty and independence. Those of us who were in Odessa, the city with timeless Greek roots, became witnesses in an instant of the raw and uncontrolled violence that the Ukrainian people are subjected to every day”, concludes, in his interview, the Minister of State.
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