Government-PASOK confrontation over PASOK member who went to the Occupied Territories and met with Tatar

A new source of confrontation between the Government and PASOK emerged after the visit of academic and member of the party's Political Council, Polina Lampsa, to the Occupied Territories of Cyprus together with other members of the "Greek-Turkish Forum", where they met with the Turkish Cypriot leader of the pseudo-state, Ersin Tatar.

What caused a painful impression was not so much the meeting but the fact that they were photographed inside the alleged "presidential palace" with Tatar in front of symbols of the Pseudo-state.

The government's reaction

For his part, the government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, during yesterday's briefing for political editors, was asked about this and launched an attack on PASOK, saying that the photographs taken "offend our national claims".

Continuing, he stressed that "it is surprising that there is no reaction, not even rudimentary, from PASOK, which - especially in recent weeks - has been making intense and pompous accusations against the Government on previous issues, regarding the country's foreign policy. Let them see what their own cadre did, and indeed in an important institution, what she did, where she was photographed, where she went. Let them react, let them issue a reaction. I do not know what this reaction will be. I believe that... at least, let PASOK respond for its member".

PASOK's response

For their part, sources from PASOk, commenting on the government spokesman's report, stressed that "PASOK is not represented" in this organization and that "Ms. Lampsa did not participate representing PASOK either", but participated in her academic capacity. “PASOK on foreign policy issues is expressed by the competent executives,” they emphasized.

The chronicle of the issue

It all started when Greeks, members of the “Greek-Turkish Forum” were in the occupied parts of Cyprus and had a meeting in the so-called “presidential” palace with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar.

After the end of the meeting, photographs were released from the Turkish Cypriot “presidency” depicting snapshots of the meeting, in front of symbols of the pseudo-state, something that foreigners visiting Tatar are not allowed to do. It is worth noting that UN representatives and foreign actors meet the Turkish Cypriot leader in rooms without any symbols.
The delegation that went to the pseudo-state consisted of Ioannis Grigoriadis, head of the ELIAMEP Turkey program, international scholar Polina Lampsa, Elias Klis, honorary ambassador, and Petros Liakouras, professor at the University of Piraeus.

According to a statement by the pseudo-state's so-called "presidency", "during the meeting, Mr. Tatar praised the work of the forum - which consists of academics and diplomats from Turkey and Greece - emphasizing its importance in promoting mutual understanding between peoples”. As he noted, this project is directly linked to Cyprus and its future.

Tatar presented the position of the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem, reiterating his vision for a two-state solution, based on sovereign equality and equal international status.

The discussion also raised issues concerning cooperation initiatives between the two sides, while the Turkish Cypriot leader expressed concern about “intimidation and arrests” by the “Greek Cypriot side” in relation to real estate. The latest developments in the wider region were also examined, amid increased geopolitical tension.

A meeting was also held in the so-called “Parliament” of the pseudo-state with various members of the Turkish Cypriot community, who illegally bear the title of “MP”.