"No need for either hegemony or leadership in Europe"

Source: Sputnik

MOSCOW -- A Greek government minister had told Sputnik that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' visit to Moscow this week launched "a new era" in the two countries' relations.

(Beta/AP, file)

"We are opening a new chapter, promoting our economic and political ties that could change the look of the region, and I can say, of Europe," Greek Minister of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Panagiotis Lafazanis said, and added:
"Of course, by developing relations with Russia, Greece is strengthening its international role and positioning itself better in a time of serious crisis."

He also called for "more equality" in Europe, saying there was "no need for either U.S. hegemony, or German leadership in Europe."

"Europe must be made up of equal countries, there has to be equality and mutually benefiting cooperation for the good of all people, for the good of the European development, for the future. Today there is no equality in Europe, Greece is treated like a colony of a new kind. That is completely unacceptable," Lafazanis said, and added that his country "deserved a completely different treatment."

"Greece is a sovereign country that must receive support to overcome the crisis instead of being pressured by measures that lead to recession, the nightmare of Greek society," he said.

Speaking about the Western sanctions against Russia, Lafazanis said:

"The sanctions Europe imposed on Russia are unacceptable. They have not reached their aim at all. On the contrary, I would say they increase problems on the European space as well. These sanctions have to be stopped. Greece would like to make a contribution in this direction."

"I believe that the relationship of Russia and the EU needs more sense, more dialogue, trust and understanding, more cooperation and efforts to make Ukraine a bridge for cooperation between Russia and the European Union, rather than a hotbed for tensions or a country that would try to block Russia out. Europe needs this today, so all countries and all people must help this," the Greek minister told the Russian website.