The resolution of the Greek-Turkish dispute, in terms of International Law, is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias his greatest ambition for Greek foreign policy. “I believe that for both countries it will create an explosion of opportunities and growth. Honestly, I think that one can only dream of what it will mean to “remove” the Greek-Turkish dispute from the map and the cooperation of these two countries” said Nikos Dendias in an interview on the First Program of ERT Radio.

As his second ambition in foreign policy, he prioritized the return of Greece to Balkans. “What was done before the 2010 crisis must be repeated and there should be an increase. Greece must be present, especially in all the small countries of the Balkans that need it and its help. And it should also help Serbia to enter the European Union. In other words, not to create a black hole in the Western Balkans. The Balkans are not the backyard of Europe, they are the backyard in the middle of Europe,” he pointed out.

He further characterized the signature of Greece’s agreement with Egypt on the EEZ as the most important moment during his tenure at the Foreign Ministry. “Not only did it solve a problem that had lasted for 35 years, that is, a negotiation that was absolutely stuck, but above all it canceled the Turkish-Libyan memorandum and canceled every effort that our neighbor Turkey made at that time to turn Greece into an island, in a sea controlled by it , either with legal agreements or with illegal agreements” explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs in an interview on the First Program of ERT Radio. He added that it was also very important for the country and that it is entirely credited to the government.

Regarding the most difficult moment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias said that it was during the great crisis, in the summer of 2020, when the two countries took their fleets to sea. As he said, the moment the bow of our frigate entered the helipad of the Turkish frigate, one could assume that any scenario from there could have taken place and noted that thanks to the calmness of both sides and their pragmatism, they were avoided the worst.

Focusing on Greek-Turkish, the foreign minister sent the message that Greece will cooperate with any government and any president chosen by the Turkish people. He also expressed the hope that the window of opportunity that opened after the earthquakes will continue after the elections and that the two countries will try to find an edge to their difference and that the window that has opened should be turned into a door. He acknowledged that he himself does not have much hope, but noted that he has a great obligation to hope and an even greater obligation to urge whoever is in my chair to try.

He also expressed the belief that Turkey is entering another era. Referring to the possibility of Erdoğan’s re-election, he said that it will be a gift from God for the whole region if we go back to the then Prime Minister Erdoğan at the beginning of the 21st century. But that will be decided immediately after the Turkish and Greek elections, he hastened to note.

Asked if a change in Turkey’s leadership or its behavior would lead to pressure on Greece and negotiations, Nikos Dendias said that in the Foreign Minister’s chair no one pressured him for anything and added that Greece can face any possible pressure.

According to Nikos Dendias, Greece and Turkey if they want to find a solution, all they need is the presence of both the European Union, in the sense that Turkey’s European perspective is a parameter for solving the problem, and the United States, in the sense that their presence in the wider region is a parameter security. “But Greece and Turkey are mature countries, they can find an edge if their governments want it. For the Greek government I am absolutely sure, for the Turkish government it remains to be seen” he added.

At the same time, he emphasized that Hellas may extend, under the International Law of the Sea, up to 12 miles. “How much we want to do it, where we want to do it, that’s our business. Do we want to exclude Turkey from the sea? No we don’t want to, but we don’t want to assign our rights either. So, on this basis we are discussing. Now, trying to create negative reports regarding an attempt at a Greek-Turkish discussion, because we are still there, we are not even in the negotiation, I think, okay, I can understand that as a general political position. But I think the Mitsotakis government has a clear position: Dialogue is a good thing. And I am happy because this is also shared by the large part of the Greek political system” he added.

Asked if the 12 miles are on the table, the Foreign Minister replied that they do not need to be on any table, because the provision is written in golden letters in UNCLOS.

He estimated that the appeal to The Hague with Turkey is quite far. “We are nowhere close, I want to be honest” he noted and estimated that “it will probably be the event that will change the future of both countries and the region as a whole”.

As far as Albania is concerned, he estimated that the appeal in The Hague is quite close, but he has a reservation because the latest events worry him a lot.

Called to answer for the episode he had with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, he said that he had not planned the tension and confided that he went to the Turkish capital to have a clean, clear position with the Turkish neighbors.

Responding to Thanos Siafaka’s remark about a national debate, Nikos Dendias revealed what happened, to the extent of how Greek society received it, he understood it the next morning, Saturday morning when he went for a walk. There, he added, from the manner and behavior of the people on the street, he understood that Greek society had hired it in the specific way, which then became apparent.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, he emphasized that it remains a priority. Cyprus is not lying for Greece by far, he explained characteristically and added that “we are trying to see how we will be able to go back to the points of convergence of Crans Montana and from there to see how we go forward. The Cypriot government obviously has the primary role for the internal aspect of the Cypriot issue. It has President Christodoulidis, who is deeply familiar with the Cyprus problem.” Beyond that, he reiterated that a better Greek-Turkish climate can help a lot.

Finally on the subject of his of the mayor of Heimarra Freddy Belerismade it clear to Albania that the rule of law and the European acquis are a necessary condition for a European path.