In the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet the foreign minister spoke George Gerapetritis one day before the meeting tomorrow in Athens with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.

“The resolution of the continental shelf dispute will be decisive in preventing tensions,” says Mr. Gerapetritis.

In detail the Minister of Foreign Affairs states: “I believe that we can have a meaningful discussion in a coordinated manner, with a mutually constructive understanding, for the delimitation of continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I strongly believe that the final solution of the issue will be decisive for the development of relations between the two countries at all levels and the prevention of possible tensions.

The delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ is the only dispute between Greece and Turkey that can be brought under international jurisdiction.

This is not only our position, but is also a provision of international law which requires that the delimitation of the continental shelf between states with mutual or adjacent coasts be carried out by agreement based on international law and that, if an agreement cannot be reached within a reasonable time period, the states concerned may appeal to the International Court of Justice at The Hague on the basis of maritime law.

Regarding the marine parks in the Aegean Mr. Gerapetritis says: “If you will allow me, I would like to state that I believe that the reaction [σ.σ. της Τουρκίας] presented in this matter is disproportionate.

The Greek side, as always, is open and honest and has no intention of misleading. Two marine parks in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, the boundaries of which are determined by strict environmental criteria, do not violate the rights of other states. These initiatives should bring our people together, especially at a time when we both face the same challenges. The planning of the maritime space in the Aegean is an obligation under the legislation of the European Union and it is an issue that Turkey must also take into account in its European route.”

The entire interview of Mr. Gerapetritis

“My vision is a neighborhood of long peace and prosperity between our peoples”

JOURNALIST: The positive dynamic of bilateral relations, the Declaration of Athens, the positive agenda, the perspective of solving problems and the future of Greek-Turkish relations.

G. GERAPETRITIS: We are about 15 months after the decision taken by the leaders of the two states to start, in a structured way, the Greek-Turkish dialogue. During this time, there is a remarkable will on both sides to lead our bilateral relations on a different path. The Declaration of Athens of December 2023 is a milestone of this mutual will.

Tomorrow I will welcome in Athens the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, with whom we have achieved, step by step, a level of trust so that we can discuss frankly and prevent crises. We will talk about bilateral and international issues and we will prepare the Supreme Council of Greece-Turkey Cooperation at the beginning of next year.

Without ignoring the historical experiences of the past, we must build solid bridges of friendship for the future. My vision is a neighborhood of long peace and prosperity between our peoples.

JOURNALIST: The weapons program of Greece. Against whom does Greece intend to use the weapons it has purchased?

G. GERAPETRITIS: We are a deeply peaceful people. We believe in dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes, based on International Law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. At the same time we cannot ignore modern security threats. We are living in a period of geopolitical instability and fluidity the likes of which the post-war world has not known. Our wider region is in the middle of two war conflicts, in Ukraine and the Middle East. In these circumstances, it is our obligation to provide for the defense shielding and strengthening of the deterrent power of my country. Our goal is to never have to use our defense equipment, because then our diplomacy will have failed.

JOURNALIST: EU-Turkey relations and the attitude of the European Union regarding the normalization of Greece-Turkey relations.

G. GERAPETRITIS: Our region and world cannot stand any more hotbeds of tension. Greece and Turkey must live in peace. I strongly believe this is in our mutual interest. We do not stick to stereotypes, we try to bridge our differences and, if they are not bridged, we at least try not to cause crises. The alternative of permanent overcrowding, hostile rhetoric and the constant risk of a hot flash does no one any good. First of all, it does not benefit the two peoples.

Greece and Turkey cooperate in the framework of international organizations. In addition, Greece has always supported Turkey’s accession perspective to the European Union. I believe that the prevailing good climate will also benefit EU-Turkey relations. Although I understand the reasonable desire of the international community to maintain calm in our region, Greek-Turkish relations are not determined from the outside, nor are they redefined. We alone must find the way to peace and prosperity.

JOURNALIST: The developments in the Middle East.

G. GERAPETRITIS: In the Middle East crisis, Greece maintained a position of principle from the first moment. At the same time, we insisted on the need to achieve a lasting and sustainable ceasefire, to ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to the affected areas, the unconditional release of hostages and the development of a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. And, of course, we highlighted the need to provide a tangible vision for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the framework of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza today is dire. The spread of hostilities in Lebanon and the wider Middle East is of even greater concern. The international legal order, despite multifaceted efforts, has, unfortunately, not yet managed to end hostilities and provide a solution in accordance with international law. There is no doubt that it is the duty of all States without exception to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental rights of all people. This does not include discounts.

JOURNALIST: The demarcation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone between Greece and Turkey.

G. GERAPETRITIS: The delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ is the one and only dispute between Greece and Turkey, which can be brought before international jurisdiction. This is not only our position but also the position of international law of the sea which mandates that the delimitation of the continental shelf between states with subject or adjacent coasts is carried out by agreement based on international law and, if agreement cannot be reached within reasonable time frame, the states concerned may appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague on a co-promissory basis. The national sovereignty of states cannot be subject to debate or international jurisdiction. However, on the issue of delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ, I think we can move forward in an orderly manner in a substantial discussion in a mutually constructive spirit. And with the deep conviction that the definitive resolution of this issue would be decisive for the upgrading of relations between the two countries at all levels and for avoiding potential tensions. I am fully aware of the difficulty of the undertaking, but it is our duty to try. And, in any case, we must maintain good cooperation and useful channels of communication.

JOURNALIST: Marine parks and marine spatial planning in the Aegean. Turkish public opinion believes that environmental protection initiatives are being used to change the status quo in the Aegean.

G. GERAPETRITIS: Allow me to point out that, in my opinion, the reaction that has been provoked in the relevant debate is disproportionate. The Greek side is, as always, clear and honest and has absolutely no intention of misleading. The two marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, the boundaries of which are determined by strict environmental criteria, do not affect the rights of others. These initiatives should unite our peoples, especially when we both face the same challenges. As for maritime spatial planning in the Aegean, this constitutes an obligation deriving from European Union law, which Turkey must also take into account in its European route.

JOURNALIST: The developments in the Cyprus Issue.

G. GERAPETRITIS: The improvement of Greek-Turkish relations is already creating better conditions for the Cyprus issue. I think we agree with the Turkish Foreign Minister in the opinion that no problem can be solved without a deliberative attitude and productive thinking. The informal meeting between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader, under the auspices of the Secretary General of the United Nations, constitutes a first step in a necessary restart of the discussions. We remain at the Secretary General’s disposal to contribute to the dialogue for a fair, sustainable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the relevant decisions of the United Nations Organization. In a world full of divisions, a united European Cyprus, apart from the conditions of prosperity it would create for its citizens, would be an extremely powerful universal symbol.