Tsipras is engaged in the duty of resigned Minister Kotzias, aims at saving deals with Albania and Macedonia

Tsipras is engaged in the duty of resigned Minister Kotzias, aims at saving deals with Albania and Macedonia

 Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said today in a statement to media that has accepted with a broken heart the resignation of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, giving also the message that he will secure the successful conclusion of the Prespa agreement.

"I decided to take the Foreign Ministry at the moment, but also the responsibility, at the same time saying that this choice is an option signaling my determination to do whatever I have in my hands to ensure the successful conclusion of the historic Prespa Agreement, which improves the international role of the country," said Alexis Tsipras.

Kotzias resigned after some fierce debates with the Minister Kammenos, who had submitted to the US a second plan in case of failure of the Prespa Agreement. When this issue was raised at the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister Tsipras, in order not to create a disagreement with the government partner, shared the responsibility of the conflict between the two ministers, and this was the reason the Greek diplomacy leader resigned.

"The prime minister and several ministers made their choice. I also did my own," Kotzias wrote on Twitter a little later.

Sources at the Greek prime minister's office point out that nothing will change in Greek foreign policy, especially the achievements made in relation to the neighbors: the Prespa Agreement and the package of issues with Albania.

Rather, it is said that there will be even greater impetus for these issues to find final solutions before the upcoming parliamentary elections in Greece scheduled in the Summer or Autumn of 2019.

Tsipras has even sent a new message to the leadership of Skopje, encouraging him to conclude the agreement firmly because there will not be a second chance for this problem.

"Greece - he added - will never accept the integration of the neighboring country into the EU and NATO with its present constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia."
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