For “great successes” in the last four years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such as the two agreements on the EEZ, the defense agreements and the broadening of the horizon of foreign policy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias spoke in an extensive interview with ERT. “What happened in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last four years was not predictable. We have had great successes in these years, the two agreements on the Exclusive Economic Zones, the agreement in principle with Albania, the defense agreements” characteristically said Nikos Dendias, proceeding to evaluate his term at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He particularly focused on the EEZ agreements with Italy and Egypt, as well as the defense agreements with France, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the USA, the development of relations with African and South American countries, as well as the three candidacies of Greece for the UN. “These were all new approaches, or at any rate approaches beyond the horizon,” he pointed out. Regarding Greece’s candidacy for the position of a non-permanent member of the Security Council, he said that he would be elected and highlighted the “enormous benefits” it would bring to our country.

He also made special mention of Greece’s relations with the USA, demonstrating that it is one of the great successes of the Mitsotakis government.

At the same time, he gave great importance to Greece’s “strategic level” and “capital importance” relations with Egypt, a day after his meeting in Athens with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Soukry. Depicting the very good climate both bilaterally and interpersonally, he said that the fact that he has seen Sameh Shoukry at least 25 times, he has made 15-16 visits to Cairo shows exactly this basic choice and added: “With Egypt now we have an alignment on a number of issues, not only on the EEZ issues, where we have signed agreements, that we see security and stability in the same way and that Egypt is exactly the country from which we look through the cable, through of possible pipelines, to be an energy entry into Europe”. In fact, he urged that if he had to leave a legacy, he would say that relations with Egypt should never be disturbed.

Asked if the fact that the issue of electrical interconnection is coming up means that considerations of EastMed are somehow sidelined in the region, the foreign minister answered categorically in the negative. “No no. It’s a completely different matter. EastMed exists as a potential project. It needs to be economically evaluated, let’s see if and if it matters” he said and highlighted the energy dimension of the relationship with Egypt. “Greece wants to become an energy hub. Egypt is an energy exporter, either energy it produces itself or energy it will produce through renewable sources. Cable is the way, one of the ways to transfer electricity, there could be a conductor. There could also be LNG ships. The relationship with Egypt ensures Greece many roles in Southeast Europe.”

After the elections we may sit down to have a serious discussion with Turkey

At the same time, the foreign minister expressed the hope that the calm climate in relations with Turkey will not have an end date and “after the elections we will return to a serious discussion to resolve our difference”. “After the elections, we may sit down to have a serious discussion, but in order to have a serious discussion, there must be an understanding from both sides of the context in which we are discussing,” he underlined. In particular, he expressed the belief that as soon as the two new governments are on their feet, it is good to take advantage of the momentum, because even these periods, if you do not take advantage of them, do not last forever.

Asked to comment on the latest statements of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Nikos Dendias said: “Usually the pre-election positions even for foreign policy issues are normal, they have to do with and are addressed to an internal audience” he added and pointed out that “it is a shame not to allow the governments that will emerge from the elections to start from the excellent point that we are now.”

Regarding the exploratory contacts, he said that he has an insight into the differences that need to be made in matters of tactical negotiation and that there are things that may refresh procedures and possibly give hope of a better outcome. “When something has not worked 63 times, to expect it to work the 64th time in exactly the same way, I think this is a little naive,” he pointed out, making it clear at the same time that if there is no convergence in the majors, the solution cannot be provided by different process in minors.

Asked if Greek-Turkish could be discussed in the context of a multilateral conference, the foreign minister replied that it is extremely difficult. “The multilateral conference in the Eastern Mediterranean has a key obstacle, but the obstacle is an elephant. The non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey. Imagine that we are discussing on a map in which Cyprus has been erased as if it does not exist. I think this has a theme,” he explained.

He further underlined the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and expressed his belief that with a hearty understanding with Greece, Turkey will see that what it sees as a threat is actually a blessing. They are rules on which Turkey could also ensure its communication with the sea, he noted.

Unraveling the entanglement of Greek-Turkish relations during the last 4 years, he determined that what acted as a catalyst, burdening Greek-Turkish relations, was the Turkish-Libyan memorandum. “A bona fide interlocutor does not sign an illegal agreement that usurps your rights. This is not a kick-start to a cordial relationship. It’s kicking under the table,” he noted.

Asked if the normalization of Turkey’s relations with the US is in Greece’s interest, the foreign minister answered in the affirmative and argued that “a strong Turkey that believes in the values ​​of democracy, human rights, its alliance and the relationship with Europe, it is obviously a Turkey that serves the benefit for the Turkish society as well as us”.

I expect developments in 2023 for the EEZ with Albania

Regarding the delimitation of the continental shelf and the EEZ with Albania, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that the Albanian side is preparing to sign and submit to the president of the country a power of attorney document, so that the negotiating team can be given the opportunity to discuss with Greece on this. When will this happen; “This must be determined by the Prime Minister of Albania, but I think it will not be too late,” said Nikos Dendias. More specifically, he said that he expects to see developments in this field in 2023, making it clear that this will be decided by the next Greek government and not by him.

More broadly, he underlined that in relations with Albania to a large extent the paradigm has changed and explained: “I believe in Greek-Albanian friendship. I believe that the Greek minority is a bridge that connects the two countries and I would like to tell you that Albania should pay attention to something from the Greek side. Albania has absolutely accepted what we are proposing to Turkey, i.e. a co-promissory extension of territorial waters. Albania directly said that Greece, which did not go to Albania until the 12th, went to the 12th, can expand its territorial waters and beyond on the basis of UNCLOS, a co-signatory and submitting it to The Hague with full rights of islands. So, I think the brave Albanian position should be taken care of.”

Furthermore, he expressed his faith in the European edifice and declared that he was proud that our country participates in it, characterizing the EU as the most successful historical example of cooperation between states.

In fact, he appeared optimistic about Sweden’s entry into NATO right after the elections in Turkey. “There is a general hope that we will welcome as we welcomed Finland the day before yesterday, so we will also welcome Sweden” he added.

Regarding NATO, Nikos Dendias proposed the need “to move to another stage and beyond a defense alliance, a very successful defense alliance, to become a value alliance”. As he put it, the Defense Alliance is not an array of tanks, it is an array of states, societies and ideas.

Regarding the attitude of the opposition during the management of the crises with Turkey, Nikos Dendias said that always in the discussions and briefings that took place there was respect for secrecy, understanding, seriousness and recommended: “This is a huge achievement for the homeland. If this is followed in the future, I think the country will have a very large capacity to deal with crises that I hope will never happen, but which are sure to happen at some point for some reason. It is important that the parties agree on these issues.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs did not fail to mention the war in Ukraine, estimating that in the coming weeks attacks and counter-attacks will develop from both sides and a new balance will be created. “The best I can hope for at this time – and I say this with deep regret – in this matter is a frozen truce,” he added.

Next, the foreign minister answered questions about domestic politics ahead of the elections.

Answering a question about his position, in 2018, against the extension of the Evros fence, he appealed to anyone who invokes statements from ’18 to remember very well what happened in ’20 and what had to be dealt with in ’20 and project it this. What was not on the horizon in ’18 was the hybrid threat of ’20, he pointed out.

Referring to the amendment that was voted in favor on Holy Tuesday that prevents the descent to the elections in the Kasidiaris party, Nikos Dendias explicitly said that the neo-Nazi formation should not be put under the judgment of Greek society, just like any formation that transitions and proclaims a similar ideology and added: “Here now, I understand that when a regulation comes so close to the elections, in clearly pre-election time, it enters the pre-election bed of the pre-election interest or the pre-election analysis of each party and this is often distorting and fringe.” Asked if he should have come earlier, he argued that it would have been better if all this had been discussed at another time. Despite this, as he pointed out, he expected from the official opposition even with this logic of the pre-election need to vote in favor, because the interest is much broader.

Finally, regarding the elections, Nikos Dendias advocates the need for self-reliance and “as a consequence, the current prime minister should be the prime minister”.