“The development of a honest dialogue with Turkey as the only viable means of building trust relations is a national strategic choice,” Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said in an interview with the Editors’ Journal.

“Dialogue promotes understanding,” he notes. “So it doesn’t freeze. The better the structured dialogue evolves, the more solid the basis on which we build our relationships will be. “

Of course, he adds: “Our positions on the scope of the debate on maritime zones They are substantially abandoned. Greece is not discussing issues of sovereignty or issues other than one and only difference that can be brought before international jurisdiction, namely the demarcation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone, as dictated by international law. “

As he typically points out, ‘the inactivity and immobility cannot be an optionand we must continue to work with the aim of maintaining its acquisition of tensions in our relations with Turkey. “

“It is our duty to promote peace, this is also the role of diplomacy, with respect to international law and without concessions in our national interests.”

As he says, the 64 cycles of exploratory contacts did not even have convergence on the issue of continental shelf demarcation and EEZs, nor “there were” massive violations of the Greek airspace with risk, at any time, warm incident “.

‘What changed For the past 18 months it is that the dialogue is now being structured and at any stage of evolution there is a relevant information, ”he notes.

“Through the three pillars, the political dialogue, the positive agenda and the confidence -building measures have been produced and tangible results. Airplanes have almost evolved, circuits of traffickers in the Aegean were abolished, many important agreements were signed to double bilateral trade, tens of thousands of Turkish citizens and their families visited our ten islands through the on -site program. Local economies. “

“Turkey’s claims are not today’s phenomenon or phenomenon of recent years but, on the contrary, are dumped in decades, Like demilitarization, Casus Belli, the “blue homeland”, the assignment of land from the Turkish government to the Turkish oil company, the “gray zones”, he says.

“We did not expect that within a few months Turkey would abandon its policy, but that we can discuss despite our major and expressed differences are conquest. And as long as Turkey links the demarcation of continental shelf and EEZs with other issues, the debate on the delimitation cannot start. “

For the expansion of territorial waters, he points out that “it is a unilateral, dominant and inalienable right of Greece arising from international law and is not the subject of the Greek -Turkish dialogue. It is just up to the Greek state itself to choose the time and the way it will exercise it, exclusively in the national interest. “

Greek diplomacy remains alert, ready for all scenarios

Regarding the situation in Syria and the Middle East, it says that it remains fluid, while “our concern is to ensure stability and rebuilding Syria”.

“This transition should be smooth, including in the spirit of UN Security Council Decision 2254, free from foreign interventions. And the new governance must be based on legality and respect international law, including international sea law. “

Asked about the possibility of Turkey and Syria, the EEZ delineation, Mr Gerapetritis notes that “Greek diplomacy, remaining alert, is ready for all scenarios, even those that are not likely to be possible. Of course, a transitional situation It does not legalize any such agreement. “

“We are in constant communication with the Republic of Cyprus, our neighboring countries and our European partners. A possible demarcation also concerns European borders. Therefore, and as you may have found out with recent interventions and European officials, such a possibility is a European case. “

Citing Cyprus, Mr Gerapetritis characterizes it as a top priority of Greek foreign policy. Significant milestones, as he recalls, was the appointment by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, his personal envoy, Maria-Angela Holguin and the first informal debate, on October 15, 2024, between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulis Leader Ersin Tatar, under the Secretary General of Ohe. On January 20, President Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader met under the auspices of the UN Special Envoy in Nicosia in order to investigate the possibility of opening new crossing points.

“Next developments are expected, including talks in expanded composition. Of course, we cannot overlook that the improvement of Greek -Turkish relations has helped to restart discussions and creates better conditions for their progress. “

It also states that at the end of January, the UN Security Council resolution is expected to renew the UN Peaceful Power Command in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

“As an elected member, Greece has taken actions within the Security Council to achieve the best possible result. The renewal of the UNFICYP command will undoubtedly contribute to the efforts to find a sustainable and fair solution to the Cyprus issue in the context of Security Council resolutions. “

Asked about Greece’s two -year term as an elected member of the OHE Security Council, which began on January 1, he says it is the crown of recognition by the international community of the country’s increased diplomatic capital.

“Following an external policy of principles and values, and having as a compass of international law, Greece has become a credible interlocutor and our goal is to act as a bridge between the North and the South, the East and the West.”

The country’s initiatives will move “in the context of the priorities we have already set, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law, women, peace and security, climate change and security, children in armed conflict and sea security» .

In addition, “as the chairman of the Security Council next May, Greece will have the opportunity to convene an open high -level debate, which the UN Secretary -General is invited, and the UN Secretary -General”.

“Our goal is through our two -year participation in the Security Council to promote the policies we have set as priorities by contributing to world peace and prosperity but also to build alliances with important and influential countries on the planet.”

She has already said with the US, Greece has compiled the first decision adopted by the Security Council for 2025 on the importance of sea security in the Red Sea.

In Jerusalem, Ramamala and Aman on February 3-4

Asked about the criticism that the strategic choice for support in Israel has cut off Greece’s traditional ties with Arabs, Mr Gerapetritis describes it as “groundless” and notes that he has regular meetings with the heads of the Arabian diplomatic missions. in Athens, and regularly talks to the Secretary General of the Arab League.

He also recalls that in January Greece participated in Egypt for the trilateral with Cyprus, while Jordan trilateral had preceded. According to the recent Supreme Council of Strategic Cooperation with Saudi Arabia, a series of agreements were signed, validating the strategic nature of our relations between our countries and, in practice, make Greece a gateway to Saudi Arabia in Europe.

“We will be one of the first countries to visit the area after the ceasefire in Gaza. On February 3 I will be in Jerusalem and Ramala and the next day I will visit Jordan Aman. “

“Greece is one of the few countries on the planet that maintain excellent relations with all countries in the region. And this is because we speak the language of truth and honesty. So we manage to keep our country safe in an asymmetric world and to magnify Greece’s diplomatic footprint in the world daily, ”he concludes.