Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-18

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras at EUCO: 'Europe's future is not walls and xenophobia'

[02] Refugee crisis, energy, Turkey discussed in meeting between Greek-Italian FMs

[03] Private citizens' association sues Britain at European Court of Human Rights for Parthenon Marbles

[01] Tsipras at EUCO: 'Europe's future is not walls and xenophobia'

"Europe is in a critical, very critical crossroads because we have to tackle three crises at the same time: The financial crisis which remains, the security crisis and the refugee crisis. So we must remain united and show solidarity - but united and with solidarity everywhere. Not only in the northwestern side of Europe, but also in the southeastern and in the Mediterranean," he told journalists.

"The solution to the refugee crisis is not building fences and promoting racism in Europe. The future of Europe is not walls and xenophobia and European rules cannot only be for some and a la carte for others," he added.

Before the Summit meeting, Tsipras met with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, who briefed him on the mini- summit of the Visegrad Four (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) last Monday in Prague. According to a government sources, Sobotka told Tsipras his country will help Greece as it helps other countries. The Czech premier had invited Tsipras to attend the summit, but he had declined, citing excessive work load, the same sources said.

On his side, the Greek premier told Sobotka that Greece cannot implement any measures that are not in line with international law, such as pushbacks. He also asked that European policy on the refugee crisis is allowed more time to bear fruit on issues such as relocation, Turkey and NATO participation.

Tsipras also said that sending army and gendarmerie at the country's borders would constitute a "non-friendly action".

[02] Refugee crisis, energy, Turkey discussed in meeting between Greek-Italian FMs

"We are bound together by the same concerns, as countries of first reception, for the refugee issue, developments in Lybia and Syria and the values of the European Union," Kotzias told journalists at a joint press conference after the meeting. "We know the big problems we are facing, such as the refugee crisis, demand creative, peaceful solutions," he added, noting that both countries are supporting the actions of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Kotzias also said Greece and Italy are interested in the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP), the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) and developing renewable energy sources.

Asked to comment on how Wednesday's deadly terrorist attack in Ankara may affect the Syrian crisis, the Greek minister said: "Turkey is a great nation, great peoples, and will deal with terrorists in the way it chooses, but at the same time it should not let terrorism hinder the peace process with the Kurds … Turkey must not be led to a hard confrontation with the Kurds in general in the name of this attack, but should march boldly against terrorists, for more democracy."

On his side, Gentiloni condemned the terrorist attack in Turkey and expressed his country's sympathy to the Turkish people. "The reasons behind those attacks are matters for the Turkish authorities to express their opinions on," he told journalists. "We should emphasize on the one hand our support to Turkey who is a NATO member-country and our ally, a country that is committed to fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and against the ISIS."

He also reiterated the importance of the joint decision taken by in Munich that "a solution to the Syrian crisis can only aim at a cessation of hostilities and the beginning of a transitional process that will lead to the end of the war."

Gentiloni also noted that none of the actors in the region could realistically bet on a military solution to tackle the Syrian conflict.

Commenting on the absence of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu from today's Summit meeting, Kotzias admitted it will "certainly complicate" a consensus between the EU and Turkey on the refugee issue, but said more opportunities for talks will be found in the future, as he announced the visit of Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to Athens on March 4 to prepare the intergovernmental meeting in Izmir on March 8.

The two countries also agreed to cooperate in trade and culture.

[03] Private citizens' association sues Britain at European Court of Human Rights for Parthenon Marbles

The association, which opened in 1895 and among whose aims is to research the history of Athens and help preserve of its cultural monuments, said the decision was taken after its board was informed about Britain's refusal to participate in a mediation procedure, as part of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Goods in the Country of Origin.

"The reason we disclose our action today is because not only was the suit not rejected [by the Court], but it was officially lodged and recently the Court requested clarifications, which presages that it will reach the courtroom," the member of the association's board, Stratis Stratigis said at the press conference.

Stratigis has been entrusted with monitoring the legal aspect of the suit, and is also responsible for coordinating the actions and contacts that will be needed in Greece and abroad.

He said the Athens Association has been following the issue closely for years and when it realized in March 2015 that Britain had rejected even its participation in the mediation procedure, it decided it was an opportunity to appeal before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg as a private association, independently from the State.

Stratigis also clarified that this move by the association does not affect in any way Greece's right to sue when it chooses at a national or international court.

"Besides, the issue of recovering architectural elements recognized by UNESCO World Heritage monuments which have been stolen is ongoing," he said. "It is therefore in the country's interest to keep the issue alive in international public opinion and periodically update on the issue with appropriate actions," he added.

According to the association's press release which followed the press conference, its founding members comprised of descendants of the Athenians who stood up against the destruction of the Parthenon by Lord Elgin. It also said that one of the very first actions undertaken by the Association was an event organised in 1896 to commemorate the liberation of the Acropolis from the Ottoman Turks. During the event, the association's deputy chairman, Professor Theodossios Venizelos (1821-1900) said the Parthenon was "a place of daily worship, the holy of holies, a life good for our ancestors and that the Athenians strongly protested against the despoilment of the Acropolis' extant statues by Elgin."

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