Former member of the European Parliament, chairman of the “Greece – Another Way” party, Notis Marias, demands a referendum in Greece on the approval of the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO, since it poses a danger to all Greeks.
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“Moscow’s objections to the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO and the proximity of Finland to Russia greatly increase the chances of a military conflict between these countries as new NATO members with the Russian Federation. In this case, and in accordance with Article 5 of the NATO Charter, Greece will be forced to enter into a military conflict with Russia ” said Marias.
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“The question is whether the Greek people are willing to send their children to sacrifice for Sweden and Finland. Such a decision can only be expressed through a referendum. Because unlike earlier NATO expansions with the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, which took place in a completely different historical moment, today’s NATO expansion with Sweden and Finland takes place both in light of the war in Ukraine and in the context of a Cold War era that smells of gunpowder,” said Marias, who is a professor at the University of Crete.
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According to him, the decision of Greece to support the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO must have the direct approval of the Greek people, who must decide whether they want, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of NATO, for Greece to be involved in a military conflict with Russia, with all the ensuing consequences for the fate of the country and the possible future losses of Greek soldiers for the sake of Finland and Sweden.
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“After all, not a single soldier from Sweden and Finland will come to defend our islands and Evros from a possible Turkish attack, since Article 5 of the NATO Charter is not activated in the event of a military conflict between two NATO member countries, that is, between Turkey and Greece,” he said.
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“For all these reasons, neither the Greek government nor even the Greek parliament itself has the moral and political legitimacy to take a decision that will give the green light from Greece to the future entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO. This must be done directly by the Greek people themselves, expressed through a referendum “, said Marias.