The Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis, in a comprehensive interview with “Ethniko Kyrykas” on the occasion of his visit next week to New York to attend the vote of the United Nations Security Council, in which our country claims to be a member, he referred to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Greek-Turkish, the provocative statements of the president of North Macedonia and sent a message to the US diaspora ahead of the European elections.

“The Ukraine-Russia war has huge regional and international consequences”

Giorgos Gerapetritis, when asked about the effects of the Ukraine-Russia war on Greece, emphasized that “it has enormous regional and international consequences with millions of refugees, destruction of infrastructure, enormous environmental destruction, a threat to Europe’s energy security and global food security ».

“Greece, from the first moment of the unprovoked Russian invasion, stood in solidarity with Ukraine and its just struggle for the defense of its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. For us it is a position of principle to support the full implementation of International Law and to stand against aggression and revisionism. The war in Ukraine threatens not only European security, but also global peace and stability,” said Mr Gerapetritis.

Giorgos Gerapetritis pointed out that “Greece is working together with allies and partners, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU.” and NATO, in order to mitigate the effects of the war and to help Ukraine in various ways” and at the same time it contributes decisively to European energy policies, which aim to reduce energy costs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also referred to the crucial role that our country now has for European energy diversification and security “due to the interconnection infrastructures of the vertical natural gas corridors, the energy infrastructures of Revythoussa, but also the upgrading of Alexandroupoli, with the imminent floating operation liquefied natural gas storage and regasification unit”.

“For Athens, the priority is the immediate end of the hostilities, the release of the hostages, the protection of all civilians”

About the war in Gaza

To a question about the recent one recognition of Palestine as a state from three European countries, the foreign minister stated that “the fixed position of Greek foreign policy is the resolution of the Middle East on the basis of the Security Council resolution of the United Nations for expanded rights of the Palestinian Authority in the General Assembly and remains steadfast in its basic principle of two-state solution».

“The “next day” of Palestine can only be, as foreseen in the resolutions of the Security Council, the recognition of the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and with the pre-1967 borders. The recognition of the Palestinian state is primarily a question of the international legal order, which is why we voted in favor of the resolutions for the expanded participation of the country in the Assembly at the UN General Assembly” said Giorgos Gerapetritis.

The foreign minister added that “the crisis in the Middle East is a very big wound, mainly humanitarian, but also geopolitical. Greece condemned from the outset the heinous terrorist attacks of October 7 by Hamas against Israel and we set those points which should be respected immediately by all sides At the same time, we are able – thanks to our relations with all parties involved – to operate constructively, with the aim of preventing further deterioration of the ongoing humanitarian crisis”.

For Athens, the priority is the immediate end of hostilities, the release of hostages, the protection of all civilians, the strengthening of the Palestinian Authority and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid through the opening of multiple humanitarian corridors.

In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs submitted a proposal to the Council of Foreign Affairs of the European Union for the formation of a special Task Force, composed of European and Arab foreign ministers, who will talk with all sides and who, in coordination, will jointly promote efforts to peace in the region.

“A climate of mutual understanding has been established with Turkey”

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “the Greek-Turkish rapprochement is carried out step by step and is marked by milestones and meetings, in which Greece and Turkey for bilateral and regional issues, the progress made is evaluated and collaborations are launched within the framework of the positive agenda”.

“After the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Turkish President, we are moving to a level of greater normalization, that is, an intergovernmental dialogue, which takes place between the political leaderships of the two countries. We have made progress in areas related to, among others, Immigration, Civil Protection, Trade, Economy and Tourism. As the prime minister himself pointed out, in Ankara we showed that next to our disagreements we can also write a parallel page with our agreements. A climate of mutual understanding has been established, in the context of which we can discuss even difficult things without causing a crisis. Our basic positions are not going to change because they are part of our national strategy. What we seek through the Greek-Turkish approach is first of all to have a period of peace without tensions and threats in the Aegean. Our goal is to maintain this approach in order to create a safe environment for the next generations,” he noted.

“With the US we are building a solid and strong alliance”

At another point in the interview, Giorgos Gerapetritis referred to the high level of bilateral relations between Greece and the US, which – as he said – is due to the fact that “Greece demonstrates in practice that it is a reliable ally of the United States so that together we can contribute to regional and global stability” .

“We are also working constructively with the US to address new pressing global challenges, such as climate change, migration, pandemics and cyber security. Greece’s geostrategic role, defense cooperation, the upgrading of very important energy infrastructures and Greece’s contribution to Europe’s energy security expand our alliance relationship and cooperation. With the USA we are building a solid and strong alliance for the good of the two countries, but also for the further consolidation of regional and international peace and security” said Giorgos Gerapetritis.

“Obligation of North Macedonia to fully comply with the Prespa Agreement”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, responding to a question about the provocative statements of the new President of North Macedonia, said that “the recent statements of the President and the head of VMRO_DPMNE undermine the letter and spirit of the Prespa Agreement, which binds without exception the leadership of North Macedonia ».

“We underlined the obligation of North Macedonia to fully comply with the Prespa Agreement and the constitutional name of the country and we highlighted in all international forums the need for its consistent and good faith implementation. I would like to remind you that the current Greek government, when it was in opposition, had pointed out in time the legal and technical problems presented by the Prespa Agreement. He had, however, clarified that, as long as this Agreement was ratified by the Greek Parliament, it would bind the country. A basic principle of International Law is the observance of agreements. Greece consistently supports International Law and respects the Agreement as a ratified International Treaty. We demand the same from North Macedonia.”

For relations with Tirana

Giorgos Gerapetritis also referred to Greece-Albania relations. “We clearly state that respect for the rule of law, democracy, the rights of minorities is not a bilateral issue, but a requirement of EU law. It goes without saying that compliance with these fundamental guarantees will be assessed in the context of the country’s accession process. In any case, I would like to emphasize as a matter of principle that the future of the countries of the Western Balkans depends on the observance of rules, principles, obligations, through the strict application of the European acquis. Greece has consistently supported the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family. But this European perspective is governed by rules and obligations. It’s not a blank check,” he noted.

“We are proud of the Greek diaspora in the USA”

In view of the European elections, Giorgos Gerapetritis addressed the diaspora stressing that “it is a bridge that connects the USA with the homeland. The message I would like to address to our expatriates is that we are particularly proud of them and their work.”

“Our expatriates are a tangible example of successful integration into American society and, at the same time, preserving Greek traditions and their ties to Greece. The dynamic Greek communities contribute substantially to the positive perception that prevails in the US of Greece, to the strengthening of our already strong bilateral relations and to the coordinated and effective promotion of Greek positions. We always want it close to us in metropolitan Greece and as a government we always serve it with undivided devotion” he said.