The aim is to have an agreement on the demarcation framework by January, so that Greece and Turkey to then be able to discuss the essence of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone, says the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritisin an interview with “Sunday Daily”. He notes that he will probably discuss with his Turkish counterpart in Athens in November Hakan Fidan the next steps to potentially advance the discussions.

Mr. Gerapetritis typically emphasizes that in diplomacy “only movement produces useful energy. He also emphasizes that there is no question of continuing the exploratory contacts, as “it has emerged that the end of each round sometimes found us in a worse position than at the beginning”.

According to the Foreign Minister, Athens and Ankara are about 15 months after the decision taken by their leaders “to start the Greek-Turkish dialogue in a structured way and to put our bilateral relations on a different path”.

The result is, as he emphasizes, that “a level of sufficient trust, with open channels of communication to prevent crises” has been achieved, and he typically mentions immigration, political protection and the positive agenda, while there has been a substantial zeroing of violations of the national airspace.

“This climate confirms our will to contribute to the establishment of calm and security in our neighborhood, which is in the midst of two armed conflicts. At this moment, the two foreign ministers have been instructed to assess whether the conditions are met to proceed with the substantive discussion on the delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ”.

As he explains, “the conditions are linked to the content of the discussion, which can only concern the specific issue, the general principles that will be applied for the delimitation, i.e. the full application of international law, the schedule and format of the dialogue and the possible referral to international jurisdiction, which could be the end of this path on the basis of a co-promissory note” and mentions that he will discuss all this with the foreign minister of Turkey during his visit to Athens, possibly in November.

The debate, as he emphasizes, does not cover the issue of national territorial waters, which as a matter of sovereignty is not included in the Greek-Turkish dialogue and their expansion is a “sovereign and inalienable right of the Greek state in the manner and at the time deemed appropriate” .

“If there is a coincidence in relation to the framework of the demarcation, the two leaders will give, if they judge it, a special mandate during the High Cooperation Council, scheduled for January in Ankara, to start the substantive discussions. If there is no agreement between the parties on the framework, the demarcation discussion will not proceed and we will try to maintain the relatively good atmosphere,” it says.

In relation to the exploratory contacts, he characteristically notes: “We do not intend to go to the 65th round. For 21 years and after 64 rounds of exploratory contacts, we have not been able to reach a level of discussion with Turkey, not on the substance, but not even on the process.”

“The end of each round sometimes found us in a worse position than the beginning. It has now been proven historically that in complex foreign policy matters inaction is usually harmful. Only movement produces useful energy”, he emphasizes.

“We did not expect that Turkey would overnight depart from its basic underlying positions and claims, which have been developed for decades,” he notes and emphasizes that the Declaration of Athens, signed in December 2023, explicitly states that the parties do not waive their basic legal positions.

“The difference is that the Greek positions are absolutely based on international law, especially on the law of the sea, and for this reason we insist on its faithful application. Greece has never recognized nor will it recognize Turkish claims, such as those stemming from the illegal and non-existent Turkish-Libyan memorandum”.

Regarding its resumption Theological School of Halkistates that “it is not a bilateral issue, but a matter of universal demand, respect for religious freedom”.

“If carried out, it will be a move of substance and high symbolism, which we will welcome”, he notes and adds that Greece does not pursue a transactional foreign policy, but a policy of principles and values

Asked whether there is currently a political atmosphere in Greece that allows a discussion of compromises in Greek-Turkish, notes that “there is no need for compromise in supporting our positions, because they are based on international law”.

In politics, he says, there are two roads. “The path of easy rhetoric that seeks the easy to digest and the easy to hear and the path of honesty that respects the truth and tends to the useful. The choice of the government, like the entire political system I hope, is the second. Because national is what is true”.

“We have the knowledge, confidence and wisdom to discuss with Turkey. However, we also have a very strong international capital, which we have conquered with our consistency and our non-negotiable position in favor of the universal application of international law. For this reason, the time is right for Greece to actively present itself internationally and discuss the difficult issues bilaterally. And I feel that most of society is in this mood. Who understands the value of long-term peace and stability, when in fact our region and the whole world is plagued by wars and asymmetric crises. This government has proven that it is for the difficult.”

Mr. Gerapetritis also mentions that the marine parks will proceed based on their original design and the technical study to define their limits is gradually evolving. “They will be implemented, not with geopolitical, but with purely environmental criteria.”

The program of the electrical interconnection between Greece and Cyprus it is a project of mutual interest for the EU, which co-finances it, he says. “Since the relevant political leaderships have agreed on its essential financial aspects and the Energy Regulatory Authorities of Greece and Cyprus have settled the last issues, the project is progressing normally. Greece is not backing down from its original plan.”

Asked about the Cypriotcharacterizes the informal meeting of the UN secretary general with the president of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader within the month as a positive development and adds that the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations creates better conditions for the resumption of discussions.

“Only through productive dialogue can there be a sustainable solution, of course within the framework of the resolutions of the Security Council. No conversation is ever over before it begins.”

“A more European Albania will be a better neighbor for Greece”

With reference to Albania, he states that “it is in the interest of our citizens to work on improving our relations” and “in this context, the start of negotiations on the first set of accession funds concerning fundamental rights and the rule of law is part of this”.

“Greece will monitor the evaluation, especially regarding the faithful observance of the acquis communautaire and respect for the rights of minorities, which are a pillar of the rule of law. A more European Albania will be a better neighbor for Greece.”

“We consider the only way to support the European vision of all the states of the Western Balkans, including the Republic of North Macedonia,” he says.

“A necessary condition for this path is the respect by each candidate country of all international law and, especially for North Macedonia, the full and good faith observance of international agreements, above all the Prespa Agreement. Selective application of international treaties shakes the regional and international security architecture and cannot be accepted by the EU”.

Endreferring to the situation in the Middle Eastdescribes Iran’s attack on Israel as “absolutely reprehensible” and notes that the spread of hostilities in the Middle East causes particular concern.

“Our country, practicing a foreign policy based on principles and, in particular, on the faithful application of international law, talks with all sides and is a pillar of stability in the wider region.”

“It is necessary to exhaust every diplomatic margin in the direction of the immediate achievement of peace. And we will pursue this through our participation in the UN Security Council in the two years 2025-2026. A great challenge, but also a great responsibility. Without compromises, but with knowledge and self-confidence, we strengthen Greece’s position in the world”, he concludes.