Athens, 23 June 2022

"We defend peace with respect for the Law of the Sea" stressed MP Maximos Charakopoulos in meeting with Indonesian delegation

"Our countries may be far apart geographically, but they share the same values regarding the defence of peace, the respect for principles of international law, with emphasis on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the need for cooperation at all levels". This was stressed by the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice of the Parliament Maximos Charakopoulos, who welcomed a 13-member parliamentary delegation from Indonesia headed by Dr. Nono Sampono. The delegation is in our country on an official visit. 

Maximos Charakopoulos, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, noted while addressing his Indonesia interlocutors: "I am glad that Greece, recognising the increased need of Indonesia for vaccines, responded immediately to the relevant request by donating through the international COVAX mechanism 1.065.700 vaccines, a number which places Indonesia among the first three countries to receive Greek vaccines."

 

A common stance against revisionism

In his statement, the MP from the governing party pointed out that "both countries attach great significance to avoiding the use or threat of violence. And this clear diplomatic stance acquires a new dimension in today's situation. Because the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine have, unfortunately rekindled the revisionism that some countries express, as is the case of our neighbouring Turkey in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, disregarding the rules of international law and the inviolability of sovereignty. If similar practices were to prevail, the global system risks sliding into a chaotic confrontation with incalculable consequences. This is why we hope that the conflict in Ukraine will end soon and that diplomacy will replace the use of weapons."

Condemnation of Turkish practices in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

The Greek MP did not fail to express his gratitude "for Indonesia's principled stance at the OIC and the written reservations submitted by Jakarta against malicious resolutions by Turkish initiative on the religious, Muslim minority in Greece, which enjoys the same rights that all Greeks do regardless of religion. This stance by Indonesia bears a special meaning, as it is the most populous Muslim country in the world. And at the same time, it is a country that has demonstrated religious tolerance and a willingness to sincerely cooperate with all sides, removed from sterile religious rivalries.

Allow me to say, as Head of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, in which Christian Orthodox MPs from 25 parliaments from around the world participate, that we are working for the mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence of peoples with different faiths and culture. And we seek the cooperation with representatives of the moderate Islam that condemns extremism and fondamentalist violence. For all these reasons I am certain that our cooperation will be deep and long".

The following also participated in the meeting: The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Regions Manos Konsolas and Litsa Liakouli, as well as the Secretary of the Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice Stathis Konstantinidis.

 High resolution images







Back