The signing of Greece’s participation agreementwith observer status, in the regional Organization “Central American Integration System(SICA), highlights, we think, the upgraded role of Greece in the region in recent years.

At the same time, as he summarized after his meeting with the General Secretary of “SICA”, Werner Vargas, reflects the ties that our country has built with the countries of Central America.

In addition, he said that soon, in fact, we expect positive developments regarding the request for accreditation of the Greek Ambassador to the Caribbean Community, to CARICOM.

“Greece’s foreign policy, in recent years, has developed a multidimensional network of relations that is not limited by narrow geographical frameworks and horizons“, underlined Mr. Dendias and added that Greece has strengthened its bilateral relations in areas such as Africa, Asia, Central and South America.

“Our substantial and active interest in a region and the states belonging to it should no longer be affected by the kilometer distance that separates us“, he noted and pointed out that this was after all his message to his interlocutors, during the recent tour he carried out in six countries of Latin and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

Greece’s decision to strengthen its presence is underlined by the opening of a new embassy in Panama, he stressed.

“Greece strengthens its relations with countries that serve and protect the global Principles and Values ​​that we also embrace. That is, the respect of the Charter of the United Nations Organization, the application of International Law and the Law of the Sea, as well as the protection of Human Rights».

Therefore, he noted, upgrading our relationship with SICA, an organization with a historical contribution to regional reconciliation and integration initiatives, is a natural choice.

“After all, apart from our traditionally friendly relations with the Central American states, there is also a historical link that may not be easily detectable. Both we and the states of Central America, at about the same period of time, waged liberation struggles against empires inspired by exactly the same ideals».

During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, the topics on which a broad network of cooperation can be developed were discussed.

As he noted, “the area covered by the organization is rich in biodiversity and forms the bridge to North America, while the Panama Canal connects two oceans».

“There is huge scope for cooperation in investment and trade, also in the protection of our common values».

Great emphasis was also placed on the issue of climate change and environmental protection, areas which are also part of SICA’s priorities.

“The organization, by Greece, of the 9th “Our Ocean” Conference in 2024, will highlight our common effort and our cooperation in all issues related to oceans and seas».

In a few days, Panama will organize the 8th Conference “Our Ocean” and Greece will be present there, said Mr. Dendias.

In addition, he emphasized the role played by Greece, as an EU member state, in the relations between the EU and the Central American states, relations that he wants to strengthen.

Dendia’s statements in detail

Dear Mr. Secretary General, welcome.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Athens because your visit today is an important moment for us, given that a little while ago we signed the Agreement for the participation of Greece with observer status in the Regional Organization “Integration System of Central America”, known as SICA.

The relevant decision was taken during the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the SICA countries in December 2022. And it highlights, we think, the upgraded role of Greece in the region in recent years.

At the same time, it reflects the ties that our country has built with the countries of Central America. And I would like to warmly thank both you and the participants in the Synod for the unanimous decision to support the request of the Hellenic Republic.

Soon, in fact, we expect positive developments for our request for the accreditation of a Greek Ambassador to the Caribbean Community, to CARICOM.

Mr. Secretary General,

Greece’s foreign policy in recent years has developed a multidimensional network of relations, which is not limited to narrow geographical frameworks and horizons. We have strengthened our bilateral relations in regions that a few years ago seemed very far away, such as Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Our essential and active interest in a region and the states that belong to it, is therefore no longer affected by the kilometer distance that may separate us. This is the message to all interlocutors on my recent tour of six countries in Latin and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.

Our decision to strengthen our presence is underlined by the establishment of a new Embassy in Panama, as I had the opportunity to inform you previously.

In general, Greece strengthens its relations with countries that serve and protect the global principles and values ​​that we also embrace. That is, the respect of the Charter of the United Nations Organization, the application of International Law and the Law of the Sea, as well as the protection of Human Rights.

Therefore, upgrading our relations with SICA, an Organization with a historical contribution to regional reconciliation and integration initiatives, is for us a choice that is very easy to explain.

Besides, in addition to traditionally friendly relations with the states of Central America, there is also a historical bond, which may not be easily detectable. And we and the states of Central America, at about the same period of time, waged struggles, liberation struggles, against empires, inspired by exactly the same ideals.

Earlier, during our discussions, we had the opportunity to talk about issues on which we can develop a broad network of cooperation.

The possibilities are great, the area covered by SICA is rich in biodiversity, it is a bridge between North and South America, while the Panama Canal connects two oceans. And it is well known how much Greek commercial shipping is part of our interest.

So there is huge scope for cooperation in investment and trade. Also, in the protection of our common values.

But we had the opportunity to emphasize another great challenge facing humanity and I am referring to climate change. In the protection of the environment, i.e. sectors that are part of SICA’s priorities. The organization by Greece of the 9th “Our Ocean” Conference, in 2024, will highlight our joint effort and our cooperation in all issues related to oceans and seas.

As you know, in a few days Panama, a SICA country, will organize the 8th “Our Ocean” Conference and Greece will, of course, be present there.

I also had the opportunity to emphasize to you the role that Greece plays as a member state of the European Union in the relations between the European Union and the states of Central America. And we want to strengthen those relationships.

Mr. Secretary General,

I would like to thank you very much for your presence today in Athens, for the important exchange of views we had and allow me to express the hope that we will talk again soon.

Again, thank you very much for being here today. Welcome.