Karamanlis in Athens: Alliances Are Not a One-Way Street
Former Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis told Western allies on October 25 that alliances carry responsibilities and solidarity cannot be a one-way street, saying Greece must remain committed to its alliances but never compromise its sovereignty or national interests. He spoke at the War Museum in Athens at an event organised by the Association of Retired Army Officers to commemorate Greece's rejection of Italy's ultimatum on October 28, 1940.
The speech focused on Turkey's ambitions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement, and the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection. Karamanlis warned Greece must refuse Turkish demands for permits or notification over the interconnection project, saying any such concession could damage Greek sovereign rights.
He also questioned whether Western partners were willing to defend Greek and Cypriot interests while strengthening their own strategic and defence ties with Turkey. Karamanlis served as prime minister from 2004 to 2009.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：雅典帕特农神庙。图片：Wikimedia Commons
