Her Turkey as a big threat to Eastern Mediterranean appointed by the US Senator, Robert Menendezwhen he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the EKPA.

Mr. Menendez said that Ankara’s tactics did not characterize a democratic country and reiterated his position that the agreement to raise F-16wanted Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his associates.

He even included the neighboring country among the main challenges that the world community is facing along with it. China, Russia as well as changing of the climate“.

“I couldn’t think of a better place than here to express my opinion on issues related to Russia, China and Turkey at the international level, but also in connection with the climate crisis from which the world is suffering. I could not find a better place to discuss the indestructible relationship between our two peoples and the great opportunities that open up before us,” he stressed.

“I don’t need to tell anyone in this room that the most persistent and immediate threat in the eastern Mediterranean is still Turkey. Despite being a NATO ally, Turkey is challenging Greek sovereignty with provocative flights in the Aegean. Violation of airspace by fighter jets is unacceptable behavior for any country,” he said, also touching on Turkey’s “illegal occupation” of, in his words, Cyprus.

“This is not the practice of a democratic country, and as for me, I don’t think they should be provided with upgraded weapons systems from the US,” he added.

At the same time, he accused the Turkish President Tayyip Erdoganthat it is pursuing a splitting policy, both in Eastern Europe and in the South Caucasus and in Europe.

The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee also referred to his personal journey and Greek-American relations, expressing confidence in further tightening in the areas of the economy, climate change, security and regional solidarity.

During an address to the laureate, the rector of the AUCP Thanos Dimopoulos noted that “the conferment of the title is a tribute to an outstanding American citizen of international prestige, who is respected and appreciated in the broader spectrum of US political and public life, a great philhellene and a deep knowledge of Greek issues, who has supported and continues to support our country at all times and in critical situations.”

“We also thank him for his contribution to Greek problems and wish him always to continue his work for the benefit of the legitimate demands of the people for prosperity and justice,” concluded the rector of the University of Athens.

Meeting of Mitsotakis and Menendez

Earlier, the US Senator met with the Prime Minister. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the Maxim Palace. The meeting was attended by the US Ambassador to Greece, George Tsunis and Greek Ambassador to the United States, Alexandra Papadopoulou.

The Prime Minister praised Mr. Menendez’s contribution to the strengthening of Greek-American relations, peace and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, for which, in the end, in August last year, the senator was awarded Grand Cross of the Order of Honor.

He highlighted Mr. Menendez’s legislative initiative, the US-Greece Defense and Inter-Parliamentary Partnership Act, which became US law in December 2021 and promotes further development of bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of defense.

The meeting reviewed Greek-American relations, which are at their best, and the prospects for closer cooperation in connection with the fourth round of the strategic dialogue between Greece and the United States, which will be held in October in Athens. .

International events were also discussed, most notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Robert Menendez expressed his gratitude for the clear position of the government, which from the very beginning supported Ukraine by providing humanitarian and defense materials. He stressed that Greece is a stable democracy, a reliable partner and ally of the US in the southeastern wing of NATO, and a pillar of stability in the region.

They also exchanged views on cooperation in the field of defense and new opportunities that are opening up in connection with the recent visit of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to Alexandroupoli.

The Prime Minister placed special emphasis on the economic and energy cooperation of the two countries, while he analyzed the importance of the infrastructure that Greece is developing for its energy security, diversification of energy sources and energy supply to Europe, in connection with his strategic position.

I am glad to welcome the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations @SenatorMenendez. I want to congratulate him on his appointment as Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Athens and thank him for everything he has done to develop relations between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/U4CmdnyhMY

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) August 26, 2022