Ex-Greek FM says Athens-US-France defence pact will lead to 'war' with Russia, China

While Greece has hailed renewed ‘defense pact’ with United States as a “resounding vote of confidence” from Washington, a former Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias on October 23, lambasted country for striking such security arrangements with France and United States. In an interview with newspaper Nea Egnatia, published Saturday, Kotzias argued that defense pact could spiral Greece into a conflict with Russia, China, and Arab world, as he labelled deal an "unconditional surrender” on part of Greece.

Criticizing US-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) and France-Greece Defense and Security Agreement, former Greek minister said that country must inste opt for a multidimensional foreign policy that must boost diplomacy between East and West. It must not succumb to US and undermine bilateral relations with Turkey furrmore, by believing that Ankara is “a common enemy” as Washington’s interests and priorities lay “elsewhere,” diplomat stressed.

Ans signed MDCA with US basis trust, but question is, “who is enemy?” Kotzias posed a daring question. "Are Americans creating bases to strike Turks alongside (Greece), or to prevent Turkey from inflicting insidious blows? No, y mean Russia," Kotzias told Greek newspaper. He stressed that Greece must not provoke Russia and thwart bilateral relations with China.

"(Greece) must hold an independent multi-dimensional foreign policy and be a mediator when West and East are in conflict; to act as an arbiter. When you act as an arbiter and negotiate on behalf of ors, when you promote your requests, everyone will listen to you," Kotzias’ statement to paper re. 

Ans will be pulled into 'unwanted wars,' warns ex-senior Pentagon viser

Earlier, former senior Pentagon viser Douglas Macgregor in an interview with Sputnik, said that Greece's decision to host new US military sites may force Ans into unwanted wars.  US and Greece approved an update to ir current mutual defense pact on October 14, allowing US forces to train and operate from new locations within Greece. Former Pentagon viser Macgregor explained that conflicts have nothing to do with US and everything to do with a century's worth of unfinished business. "Wher Ans likes it or not, Ans may be pulled into a conflict that it orwise prefers to avoid precisely because we are present in country.  host government, in this case, Ans, may believe that it is improving its security and that it will benefit from US largesse as Germany, Italy and or allied countries have, but y are missing growing danger associated with our presence," he told news agency.