Maria Karystianou opened the event titled “National Issues and the NATO Summit: 52 Years After the Coup in Cyprus,” organized by her party, “Hope for Democracy.” Referring to national issues, she stressed the importance of the discussion, saying:
“We consider this event extremely important precisely because the topic we will discuss concerns all of us as citizens of this country.”
Karystianou then returned to the subject of national issues, stating:
“I believe our national issues are at their most critical moment. Either action will be taken now, or we will suffer significant losses, and Greece will be diminished.”
Calling for national unity, she said:
“I sincerely believe this is the time for us to unite and truly move forward with one voice, declaring that Greece will not lose a single meter of its territory.”
She added:
“Nor will it surrender any of its sovereign rights.”
The event featured speakers including:
- Konstantinos Grivas, professor at the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon Military Academy);
- Ambassador Emeritus Periklis Nearchou;
- Retired General Dimitris Kypriotis;
- Vasilis Fouskas, professor of International Politics and Economics at the University of East London;
- Dr. Sotiris Mitralexis, political scientist and expert in international relations;
- Dr. Keri Mavrommati, a lawyer specializing in the International Law of the Sea.
The discussion was moderated by Dimitris Panagiotopoulos, professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and member of the Political Council of Hope for Democracy.
Meanwhile, in a post on social media, the party’s president invited people to attend the event, writing:
“I look forward to seeing you today, and I invite you to join us.
“Our national interests are not negotiable, and above all else, they should unite us. We need a better tomorrow for our country, for ourselves, and for our children.”
The discussion focused on developments in Greek-Turkish relations, Turkey’s role within NATO and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as issues concerning Greek foreign policy.
In the first 20 minutes of the video below, Prof. Costas Grivas offers an amazing analysis, where at the end Maria Karystianou passionately takes a strong position on Greek foreign policy – the video has English subtitles.
Maria Karystianou: “Greece Will Not Surrender Any Of Its Sovereign Rights.” I really think that she’s living in the past—Greece conceded those sovereign rights a long time ago!