As the Foreign Minister said, at least on a rhetorical level, “we are facing an unprecedented escalation of the Turkish provocation” and at the same time from time to time an escalation in the field, where the “neo-Ottoman revisionism” is projected.
«The settlement of disputes between countries can be achieved on a single basis, that of respect for international law and its fundamental principles, such as the protection of the territorial integrity of all statesSaid in the most categorical way o Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in an interview with “Naftemporiki”. At the same time, he made it clear that “our territorial sovereignty is not in question” and that “we do not fall into the trap of escalating rhetorical controversy over self-evident, across the international community, issues».
As the Foreign Minister noted, at least on a rhetorical level, “we are facing an unprecedented escalation of Turkish provocation ” and at the same time at intervals an escalation in the field, where the “Neo-Ottoman revisionism”. In this escalation, he stressed, “We answer strongly, but calmly” and stressed that “With a series of arguments, we deconstruct one by one the unfounded and non-existent allegations of the Turkish side.”
Equally, he maintained that “We are vigilant, we are prepared” and underlined: “It goes without saying that we protect the national interests in all appropriate ways, always on the basis of International Law and the Law of the Sea. “We have strengthened the country geopolitically, through bilateral agreements, as well as an international information campaign, which is already paying off, as evidenced by the clear stance against the Turkish provocation, which is being held by more and more of our partners and allies.”
At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterates Greece ‘s readiness for dialogue, on the basis of International Law and in particular International Maritime Law, noting that “We are sincere when we declare our will to keep the channels of communication open with Ankara.” In any case, he considered that both sides owed, especially the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, maintain open channels of communication, even in times of tension, he reiterated that it is not the choice of the Greek side to interrupt the channels and noted that “talking does not mean that we make” discounts “in our fixed positions for the national interests. “We did not put an end to the process of the Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece – Turkey. Nor in the Exploratory contacts, in the Political Dialogue, in the Positive Agenda, in the Measures of Building Trust ” He stressed that it was up to Turkey to return to dialogue, on the basis of international law.
In fact, he sent the message that “If Turkey, by actually torpedoing communication, expects discounts on internationally guaranteed Greek rights, Greece has made it clear what it will do: we will not leave room for questioning our national sovereignty and our sovereign rights. “
He also said that as the Prime Minister had previously announced, the issue of Turkish provocation will be presented at the next European Council, next week and pointed out that Greece thoroughly informs its partners and allies, as well as international organizations about the blatant Turkish aggression. The international public knows today who is causing in the region, he noted and added that this was made possible, on the one hand thanks to the targeted promotion of Greek positions, on the other hand, thanks to the general policy of credibility that Greece pursues in all international issues. As he explicitly stated, today, our country has internationalized the issue of Turkish challenges, reducing Turkey’s behavior to the broader context of revisionism and neo-Ottomanism that characterizes it.
Stylizing the revisionism, he made it clear that it was a source of destabilization and suffering, not only for the countries it was targeting, but for the international community as a whole. “It’s the greatest danger to the very nature of the international legal order. And this is fully understood by all democracies that operate in accordance with the rules of international law. We all know that defending peace and stability in an area is not an ‘à la carte’ undertaking, it is not implemented by choice. “, as he noted. Referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nikos Dendias stressed that the great lesson that emerges from it is that revisionism does not lead anywhere.
He also hastened to point out that the narrative of a so-called regional power acting as a mediator for international peace and security in a particular region, but at the same time acts destabilizingly with its rhetoric and actions against another country or even within an international organization. , just does not exist. And this, as he stressed, has begun to be fully realized by the international community, because with its rhetoric, but especially with its actions, Turkey itself is irreparably exposed at the international level.
Further, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign Minister stated that Greece did not condemn it only out of obligation, because it is a member of the EU and NATO. “It did so because it is dictated by the foreign policy of the authorities it serves – a policy that upholds the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations.” explained.
As for Greek-Russian relations, he said that when the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis came to power, almost 3 years ago, relations were at a rather mediocre level and that “We have made great efforts to restore a level of mutual understanding with a country with which we have centuries-old historical, religious and cultural ties. “, but the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine, interrupted the upward course of our relations, and not with the responsibility of our country. “We are moving in the context of a political and value space and the alliances to which we belong by choice,” he said.
Afterwards, the Foreign Minister highlighted the increased special weight of Greece in Southeastern Europe and its leading role for the European integration of the Western Balkans. “We feel the historic debt to help the Western Balkans move on the path of reform and economic development, on the path to the EU,” he said. Referring to his recent Balkan tour, but also to the Summit of the South East European Cooperation Process in Thessaloniki, he noted that the consistent attitude and role of Greece is recognized by all in the region, as well as by our country’s partners in the EU.
Asked when the ratification of the memoranda of cooperation with Northern Macedonia is planned, Nikos Dendias answered when the national interest and the program of the Greek Parliament allow it.
Finally, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the organization of the Ocean Conference in 2024 by Greece, in coordination with the United States of America. “The immediate goal is to look at ways to deal with the effects of climate change, overfishing and marine pollution. The fact that our country was asked to organize the meeting in two years, indicates the importance that the US attaches to Greece in this area. ” He added that the protection and preservation of the marine environment is a chapter of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, the observance of which is a basic principle of our country.
