«The Turkish delinquency, which is part of the general spirit of revisionism and neo-Ottomanism that characterizes the Turkish attitude lately, fully substantiates the Greek arguments“, Said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendiasin an interview with Newsbomb.gr.
As he noted, it turns out “in practice that the casus belli against Greece is not empty of content, as our country faces a real threat from Turkey, which is not limited to rhetorical level. And this irreparably exposes Turkey itself internationally».
However, Mr. Dendias clarified, “Greece reacts calmly, does not succumb to the temptation to respond in the same way». «We decide when and how we respond to Turkish challenges. We do not indulge in a rhetorical confrontation, despite the constant Turkish provocations, which in most cases have a personal dimension. We are not referring to persons“, He added.
The Foreign Minister stressed that recent reply letter from Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN to the Secretary General of the Organization regarding the alleged obligation to demilitarize the Aegean islands example of a sober reaction.
«This letter documents the unfoundedness of the Turkish side’s allegations, legally, historically and on the facts. At the same time, the danger posed by the Turkish unilateral objections is emphasized, not only for our country, but also for regional peace and security.“, pointed out.
He stressed that it is a conscious and responsible choice of Greece to talk to Turkey, but that “requires a radical review by Turkey of its conduct and its full harmonization with fundamental principles of international law, including the law of the sea».
According to Mr. Dendias, “Greece is not defined in terms of its foreign policy, it has its own positions governed by respect for and application of the principles of International Law“, Something that was demonstrated by the recent visit of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to the USA, has now been established as a perception in the entire international community.
Asked about defense agreement with the USthe Foreign Minister replied that “in a critical geopolitical situation, proves the long-term nature of the US commitment to invest strategically in our country as they recognize Greece as a reliable and consistent partner and factor of stability in the region.».
«At the same time, the agreement strengthens the country’s specific weight in NATO. It is also a guarantee of security, as it acts as a deterrent to any revisionist policyHe added.
In Alexandroupoli, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we have in addition to the concentration of allied forces and the construction of large energy infrastructures, which will make the region an energy security provider for all the Balkans. He added, no, how Proof of the importance of the agreement is the reaction of Turkey, which for its own reasons sees in it an upgrade of Greecewhich acts as a counterweight to its own influence and halt to its revisionist policy.
Regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to the USA, he noted that “his speech to Congress marks the culmination of excellent relations between Greece and the United States in recent years“, as “was a historic opportunity to hear the Greek positions in the legislature of the most powerful country in the world».
«Perhaps our most important gain is that it has been established in the American leadership, as well as in the US political world, that Greece is a key country for peace and stability in our wider region.“, He stressed.
He pointed out, no, that in all the meetings in Washington there was a possibility to do information on Turkish delinquency and provocative behaviorwhile Greece received a vote of confidence from the US administration in our declared strategy for its transformation into an energy transfer hub in Europe.
«In an ever-changing international system plagued by challenges such as the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis, excellent relations between Greece and the US can be a legacy for the future.“, He underlined.
Mr. Dendias clarified that Mr. Greek and Russian people are linked by historical ties of friendship which endured over the centuries, while the connecting link between the two is the Greek community, which has lived in Russia for centuries.
«I want to believe that the ties between the two peoples will be maintained even after this adventure of war is over.“, He added and noted that Greece followed a stance of principles, as together with its partners and allies it supported Ukraine which received an illegal invasion,”respecting and defending international law and the principle of independence and territorial integrity, as it would for any country to do so».
Unfortunately, as he stressed, the Russian leadership, with its interventions and statements, such as that of the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, is sharpening bilateral relations, an aggravation for which Greece bears no responsibility.
Referring to accession process of the Western Balkansthe Foreign Minister pointed out that “is the only safe path to peace, stability, reform and prosperity“, But also for the EU their accession”is above all a geopolitical necessity».
«It is important that we do not allow a “vacuum” to be created on the map of Europe, which will try to fill revisionist forces with hegemonic ambitions and a destabilizing agenda.“, He underlined.
«Greece does not treat its Balkan presence as a “condemnation”. He treats it as a historical mission. We are the oldest EU Member State in the Balkans and we feel the historic responsibility to turn the region towards the EU and the EU towards the region.“, Noted Mr. Dendias.
«Today we are working hard to achieve this goal, sending a two-way message. On the one hand, to our European partners, whom we call on to show greater courage and to give new impetus to the enlargement process. Do not see this issue only in its technical parameters, leaving aside its historical and geopolitical dimension“, Adding that the decision to start accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia would be a decisive step in this direction.
On the other hand, the message he conveys to the region during his visits to the region is “to continue to consistently meet the prerequisites of their European course, to implement the necessary reforms, to respect good neighborly relations and their contractual obligations, to resolve their bilateral issues in accordance with international law».
“To channel all their energy in this direction and not in unhistorical efforts to raise non-existent issues”concluded the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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