The Greek-Italian bilateral relations, the immigration, the Balkans, the Greek-French defense agreement and the reactions of Turkey as well as the situation in Libya were mentioned by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in a detailed interview given to the Italian news agency Nova. in Italy.
Referring to his meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, Mr. Dendias stressed:
“It was an important opportunity and a symbolic moment, with the exchange of the Ratification Bodies of the Agreement for the Delimitation of the maritime borders of Greece and Italy. Important for two reasons: first of all because we have solved a problem that has existed for 45 years, but also because we are ready to offer an example for other countries in the region, according to which countries that maintain friendly relations can solve years problems, such as the demarcation of maritime borders.
Regarding the economic and trade relations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister underlined:
“Italy is a great economy, Greece is a growing economy, and as Greeks we must leave behind the years of crisis. “We are growing at the pace of the countries of Southeast Asia and that is something incredible.”
Referring to the Balkans, Mr. Dendias told Nova that “there was a great coincidence of views with his Italian counterpart on the whole process of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans.”
In connection with his meeting with the Vatican Prime Minister Pietro Parolin, this morning at the Holy See he stressed that “he is sincerely grateful to the Christian message, but also to the Roman Catholic Church. We are Christians and for us the teaching of the Church is especially important “.
Referring to immigration, the Foreign Minister added:
This year, two historic landmarks converge. The 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution and the completion of more than 40 years of diplomatic relations between Greece and the Holy See (greeting at the opening of the Exhibition of Greek Art “Comunione di Persone” in the Vatican). pic.twitter.com/dpDk82cwcN
– Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) November 9, 2021
“In light of the Christian message, we have been discussing with the Italian government specific ways to deal with this phenomenon. We fully respect, of course, the value of human rights. “The governments of our two countries respect these rights within the European Union, which offers values ​​and principles on which our action is based.”
Referring to the Greek-French defense agreement and the reaction of Turkey, Mr. Dendias stated:
“The last criticism that can be leveled at Greece is that it wants to isolate Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. The exact opposite is true. What Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I have repeated so many times is that we want a modern, cosmopolitan, prosperous Turkey that follows the path of European integration. “But this means that Turkey must approach the values, ideals, obligations and goals of the European Union.”
“If Turkey followed the opposite course, Greece, France or the EU are not responsible. The Greece-France agreement is a friendly agreement, if I were in Turkey’s position I would be happy because this agreement improves relations between two friendly countries. Explained, at the same time, Mr. Dendias.
Referring to the issue of European sanctions, the Foreign Minister told the Italian agency Nova:
“If Turkey behaves in a way that endangers the member states of the Union, their European sovereignty and their sovereign rights, then in this case it is obligatory for the EU to impose sanctions, not as an end in itself or to punish “but to prevent other, even more aggressive acts on the part of Turkey, or acts that may further damage the national interests of the member states.”
Finally, on the issue of Libya, Nikos Dendias considers “really necessary” the international summit on Libya organized by France on the 12th of the month, because “the last thing we need to do is forget about Libya and leave the situation to follow an automatic course “.
“If the EU neglects its obligations to Libya, other players – not necessarily with the clearest of intentions – will get involved and create new problems. We must support Libya for a long time, for the reconstruction of the state, to favor the exit of the mercenaries from the country and to be able to transform Libya into a dynamic and modern democracy, in which the citizens can express themselves. their will “, concluded the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
At the working dinner I had yesterday at the ???????? Embassy in Rome, with executives ???????? of companies that have invested in Greece – I attended working dinner hosted by @GreeceinItaly with executive members of ???????? companies which have made investments in ????????. pic.twitter.com/JGVEczyxgb
– Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) November 9, 2021
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