Nikos Androulakis, the leader of PASOK, travelled to Kastellorizo and used the setting to reaffirm Greece's position in the eastern Mediterranean. He said Greece's sovereign rights in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean are strong and non-negotiable. His sharpest line was that no third country's "sensitive issue" can justify illegal and provocative actions. The location was no accident, since the tiny island sits a short distance from the Turkish coast and has often sat at the centre of maritime disputes. Tensions over continental shelf claims and airspace have flared repeatedly in recent years, prompting periodic statements from Greek leaders. As head of the main opposition, Androulakis is making clear that Greek parties close ranks on sovereignty regardless of their domestic fights. He kept the wording firm but stopped short of anything that could read as escalation. The venue reinforced the message more than any phrase could have.