The
Foreign Minister of Greece claims there is no common EU policy towards
Russia, but rather a course based on a historical "distrust" of
particular countries towards Moscow.
MOSCOW,
January 29 (Sputnik) — Brussels’ policy towards Russia is formulated
outside of EU institutions and is based on the interests of individual
countries, the Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Kotzias said in an
interview to the French newspaper L'Humanité.
"Like any other member of the EU, Greece has the right to express its views and defend its interests on all issues, including the [EU] policy towards Russia. Greece does not accept the situation when the EU policy towards Russia is decided outside the EU institutions," Greece’s Foreign Minister said.
Kotzias also added that the EU strategy should be changed and based on the interests of all EU members. "We do not want the EU policy to be based on the interests of the countries, which historically have too emotional relations with Russia," Kotzias said.
The recent meeting of EU foreign ministers, called at short notice by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, was designed to impose tighter sanctions on Russia with regard to the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. The final communique of the EU countries was released without the consent of Greece. The country’s officials said they are not going to tolerate the violation of their rights in the EU and demanded respect of their position in the decision-making process
"Like any other member of the EU, Greece has the right to express its views and defend its interests on all issues, including the [EU] policy towards Russia. Greece does not accept the situation when the EU policy towards Russia is decided outside the EU institutions," Greece’s Foreign Minister said.
Kotzias also added that the EU strategy should be changed and based on the interests of all EU members. "We do not want the EU policy to be based on the interests of the countries, which historically have too emotional relations with Russia," Kotzias said.
The recent meeting of EU foreign ministers, called at short notice by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, was designed to impose tighter sanctions on Russia with regard to the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. The final communique of the EU countries was released without the consent of Greece. The country’s officials said they are not going to tolerate the violation of their rights in the EU and demanded respect of their position in the decision-making process