Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met today with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio. Discussions include Libya, the eastern Mediterranean, the future of Europe and bilateral relations. At the same time, the main object of today’s meeting was the exchange of instruments for the ratification of the Agreement on the Delimitation of the maritime zones of the two countries.
After the meeting, the Foreign Minister stated:
“My presence here has to do with a very pleasant event. The exchange of instruments for the ratification of the Maritime Zone Delimitation Agreement, which allows its implementation. This symbolic act is particularly important. It closes a 45-year standoff, and highlights our exemplary relations with Italy. Both within the EU, where we work very closely with my friend Minister Di Maio, and at our bilateral level. We have close relations that cover the whole spectrum: trade, investments, since Italy holds one of the most important positions in the Greek market. “We have achieved a lot, but we can achieve even more, such as in the fields of tourism, culture and education, where we work closely together.”
Then Mr. Dendias underlined:
“The close cooperation between Greece and Italy is not news, and so, should be the situation, between two neighboring, friendly countries. Today’s exchange of instruments of ratification also indicates the commitment of our two countries to respect for International Law, and especially the Law of the Sea. This was recently supported by the Italian Senate, with the adoption of the bill on maritime zones. Having regard to the International Covenant on the Law of the Sea. It is our common will that all Mediterranean countries embrace these values. Adherence to International Law and Unclos. This will contribute to international stability, and Greece is always open to strengthening multilateral cooperation, but on that basis. Unfortunately, we are still far from realizing this perspective. “Today, Luigi and I thoroughly considered all these common challenges, and as always, we had an open and very constructive discussion between friends.”
Regarding the behavior of Turkey and its provocativeness, N. Dendias added:
“I informed him that Turkey, unfortunately continues its delinquent behavior, in the wider region of the eastern Mediterranean, ignoring fundamental principles of International Law, and continues to make threats against Greece. Casus belli, the threat of war continues to apply to Turkey against Greece. It is the only country on the planet that has issued a threat of war against another country. But threats are also being made against the Republic of Cyprus. It is something that concerns not only Greece and Cyprus, but the family of the European Union as a whole and of course Italy, as a very important and large country in the Mediterranean “.
Regarding the other issues of today’s meeting, the Foreign Minister added:
“We discussed in detail the developments in Libya, and the latest worrying news about Foreign Minister Nila Al Mangu. I stressed the need, like the meeting in Paris, which Italy is co-chairing, to send a clear message, both about the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries and about the conduct of elections. We discussed the Western Balkans, where the latest developments have not been encouraging, and I think we have agreed that the EU must clearly and unequivocally support the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Certainly with the well-known heresy, but giving a clear example to these societies. As is well known, our country continues to clearly support the start of accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia. But on the other hand I want to be completely honest. The governments and societies of the countries of our region must avoid the temptation of the nationalist sirens that are heard lately. There should not be the slightest setback to what has been achieved with great difficulty. We also discussed with Luigi the challenges that Europe has to face. Greece and Italy are at the forefront of tackling immigration issues, for which we have agreed to have even closer cooperation. Both Greece and Italy receive large migratory flows. It is a common European problem that needs a common European solution. We pledged to the Italian side, for a very close cooperation. As for the migratory flows coming from Libya. Finally, we discussed climate change, the need to change the energy mix and address the need for energy supply in Europe, until the green transition is complete. “In general, we agreed that European solidarity is absolutely necessary.”
L. Di Maio: “Great success for our two countries and an important event for cooperation in the Mediterranean is the entry into force of the Agreement on the Delimitation of Maritime Zones”
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, after the meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, said:
“Dear Nikos, I am very happy for your visit to Italy, shortly after the meeting, in Athens of our Prime Minister Mario Draghi with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on the occasion of Med 9. The bilateral visits and the frequent contacts show our strong friendship and fruitful cooperation of our two countries, which have excellent relations, with close cooperation in terms of the main international dossiers, starting from the European agenda “.
Then the Italian Foreign Minister added:
“Nikos Dendias and I discussed many issues: From relations with neighboring, southern countries, to economic and energy issues. But I would like to start with the ceremony that has just ended, with which the Exchange Ratification Instruments of the Maritime Zoning Agreement were exchanged. An act that marks its entry into force internationally. This is a great success for our two countries and an important event for cooperation in the Mediterranean, which we hope will be a model and reference point for the future. “Only through a continuous and constructive dialogue between all the countries in the region, which Italy will continue to encourage, can stability be achieved in the eastern Mediterranean.”
In relation to the other issues that were discussed today, Luigi Di Maio stressed:
“I reiterated to my Greek counterpart the importance of supporting the political process in Libya, in accordance with a broad participation process in view of the important date, the elections of December 24. And the urgent need for mercenaries and foreign fighters to leave.
And in terms of economic cooperation, our relations are very dynamic, since in the first seven months of the year, trade increased by 27%. Thanks to these numbers, Italy is the second supplier of Greece and the first customer – important elements, due to the presence in Greece of many Italian companies. Starting from this broad cooperation, we aim to strengthen our economic exchanges, especially in infrastructure and energy transition, taking advantage of the funds of the National Recovery Plan. It offers us the opportunity to move on to new industrial partnerships, favoring a more sustainable development. We will strengthen our mutual role as an energy hub in Europe, with the aim of new technologies for the production of clean energy “.
Regarding immigration, finally, the head of Italian diplomacy underlined:
“We also mentioned the need to reach a balanced agreement on immigration in the EU, with substantial moves in the external dimension of immigration policy. We will also work more closely together to promote the Mediterranean diet, in order to protect our food industry and consumers. Finally, I expressed to Nikos Dendias the great Italian expectation for the start, within 2021, of the accession negotiations of Albania and Northern Macedonia and for the start of a new series of negotiation procedures (Cluster) with Belgrade. “The accession process is the main incentive for the candidate countries to follow the path of reforms.”
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