The clear message that Greece’s foreign policy obeys the very clear rule “we are bound by International Law and the International Law of the Sea”, issued the foreign minister Nikos Dendias in a statement before welcoming graduate students from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made special reference to Greek-American relations, declaring that they are historically at their highest level. In particular, he referred to its two amendments Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement which he signed himself, during the recent visit of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to Athens, but also in the speech of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the first Greek Prime Minister, to Congress. He also pointed out the common perspective of Greece and the US on most issues, including Ukraine. As he explained, “We take a principled stance on Ukraine. It has to do with territorial integrity, the sovereignty of all the countries of the world and the equality of all the countries of the world.” He added that although Greece had historical relations with Russia, for our country it is a choice between black and white.

Regarding Turkey, the foreign minister said that “we had many difficulties in the past, but after the earthquakes in Turkey, we live in a completely different reality.” In particular, referring to his yesterday’s meeting with the Turkish counterpart of Mevlut Cavusoglu in Brussels, he said that they agreed that Turkey should support Greece in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. “I’m sure you know the workings of the Security Council, so you understand the symbolism of the gesture” underlined. He added that reciprocally, Greece will support Turkey for the position of secretary general in the International Maritime Organization. “Our country has the largest merchant fleet in the world, Greek-owned, not under the Greek flag – you again understand the symbolism of this gesture” he emphasized.

Further, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the relations of Greece with countries in the wider region. “We have a very close strategic relationship with the State of Israel. Cyprus for us is very, very close, you can understand why. We have close contacts with Egypt. Egypt is a very close friend and ally. We have very close contacts with the Gulf countries, the United Arab Emirates, with which we have a defense agreement, Saudi Arabia, but also Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq” write down.

Finally, he underlined that Greece tries to have a diplomacy beyond the horizon, explaining that it is active in Africa, South America and India. “And we are also active in the Indo-Pacific, because with many countries in the Indo-Pacific we share the same views on International Law and the International Law of the Seahe emphasized.