De-escalation intervention on the Russian side was requested to Foreign Minister Niko Dendia by his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba, as he reveals in an interview with the newspaper “Ta Nea” and stressed that Greece has a role and a say in international affairs.
“My Ukrainian counterpart asked me to transfer “The message of the need for de-escalation on the Russian side, with which, as is well known, we maintain frequent contact,” he said. all States in accordance with the principles of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations “.
“Greece is in favor of de-escalating the tension in the region, while maintaining communication channels with all those involved. “We consider Russia to be a key and integral part of the European security architecture, and that is why we insist that the channels of communication remain open.” “This is not about ‘keeping the balance,'” he said. “It is known to which Alliance we belong. It is an essential choice to talk to everyone, always on the basis of international law. “
Mr. Dendias referred to his recent visit to Mariupol, where today in the villages and towns around it, live about 120,000 expatriates. As he noted, he had the opportunity to talk with representatives of the Greek communities and to assure them of the interest of the homeland and the Greek government for them.
He pointed out that in addition to the issue of security, these communities also face issues of daily living, including care, and noted that the government will stand by them, with the first step being the strengthening of the Consulate General in Mariupol.
“For us, these communities, as well as the corresponding ones, on the other side of the border, in the southern part of Russia, remain living islands of Hellenism but also important bridges of culture and communication with the wider region and its peoples.”
Referring to Greek-American relations, he noted that after the signing of the second amendment to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, its overriding expectation “is to build further on the upgrading of Greece’s strategic relationship with a traditional ally.”
“The important developments, in combination with the exemplary cooperation of our country with the USA within the framework of the 3 + 1 initiative (Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA), constitute a recognition of the role that Greece now plays in terms of the stability of the wider region. ».
As for EastMed, He noted that the issue is not geopolitical, but concerns the economic viability, technical feasibility of the project, and the environmental impact, while welcoming the fact that the European Commission has announced that it will finance the Euro-Asia Interconnector.
Asked about the Greek-Turkish language, Mr. Dendias stressed that “Ankara maintains unchanged its aggressive rhetoric regarding the threat to the sovereignty and sovereign rights of our country under various pretexts, even that of” terrorism “”, which he characterized as an assertion beyond any sense of logic. At the same time, “trying once again to apply the camouflage of its policy, it calls for dialogue.”
The Foreign Minister reiterated Greece’s firm position: “We want dialogue, exclusively within the framework of International Law and International Law of the Sea. No dialogue on irrational, illegal demands. We do not succumb to threats, we do not accept anything done. “
He also stated that exploratory contacts have been a stable choice of our country since 2002 and will continue within the approved framework.
“The gap is big. But any convergence can only exist through discussion. We always approach exploratory contacts with confidence, a spirit of cooperation and a constructive disposition. However, we are not ethereal and we are not possessed by naivety or illusions “.
“Greece aspires to find convergence in the one and only difference, the definition of the continental shelf and the EEZ. “And in the event that this is not possible, let us agree on an appeal to The Hague.”
Regarding Turkey’s approach to Greece’s allies, Mr. Dendias clarifies: “We want and wish Turkey to talk to those countries that believe, like us, that international law is the basis on which they must be resolved. the differences”.
“We have no reason to be insecure that Turkey is talking to our partners. We are a country with confidence, with confidence in our positions and principles “, he underlines and adds:” We prove every day that Greece has a say and a role in international affairs, in the name of specific principles that serve our national interests but also the universal values. “We do not define ourselves on the basis of alliances and the aspirations of our neighboring country.”
Regarding the Western Balkans, Mr. Dendias noted that Greece calls on “the countries of the region to remain committed to their European course and to turn their backs on the forces of isolation, destabilization and the revival of neo-Ottomanism, which promote extreme ideologies and alienate the Western Balkans from Europe “.
The Foreign Minister also referred to the promotion of Greece’s candidacy for the position of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026, which already has 97 countries that have already pledged in writing to support its election.
“It is a recognition that Greece “It is a factor of peace and a pillar of stability in a difficult region,” he said, adding that Greece’s intention is to highlight its commitment to international law and the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, principles which are enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
He also said that the opening of the African countries, a continent with the largest economic and population growth in the world, is a strategic choice of Greece. He is going to go to Senegal soon, in order to inaugurate the Greek embassy, while similar openings will be in countries of South America, Asia and Oceania.
Finally, Mr. Dendias referred to the reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which initially includes the part of technological upgrading and acceleration of processes, but also the modernization of the ministry, in order to meet its challenges today. As he mentioned, this will be done with the following initiatives: integration of the branches, strategic planning on a multiannual basis and public diplomacy.
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