The assurance that there is no “ice” in Greece -Turkey’s relations was given by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in a discussion with the Anchorwoman of Mega TV & columnist “TA NEA”, Katerina Panagopoulou, as part of the 10th Economic Forum.

Specifically, although he acknowledged that “we are not miracles to cover all the points of disagreement”, we are not in a “freezing” regime with Turkey, with the two countries’ relationship continuing with specific timetables. Concerning the policy of recession of the two countries, he explained that it is practiced in many fields, not only in airspace violations. Cooperation, he added, has produced results in many areas, for example trade and immigration, and there is an improvement in understanding the two governments of both peoples. Of course, he reiterated that they were not solved with all the problems.

Asked by Mrs Katerina Panagopoulou on the issue of the cable, she stated that the government is making every effort so that there is no problem in the electrical interconnection. “We are planning all the necessary actions in this complex exercise,” he added. As for the restart time, he pointed out that this will be done at the right time. “We will move on, as it should be in the time it should,” he commented, before the fact that the project is in line with international law. “We have been moving all the decades in the light of international law. We do not act, but we demand from each side the corresponding respect for international law. ”

Regarding foreign policy, he said that Greek diplomacy cannot be heterogeneous, explaining that we should not see our actions solely in the light of the Turkish threat. “Greece is developing diplomacy of multimedia, it is a pillar of stability,” he hastened to note, citing excellent relations with the Arab states, Israel and Egypt, for which he said we had a “brotherly relationship”. On the other hand, he clarified that we should always be alert, as our neighborhood is put everywhere. “We have had the impairment of tension in the country’s defensive potential in previous years, but in the last six years we have arranged for the armed forces to be strengthened,” he added, explaining that we are seeing the defense as a peace lever.

Elsewhere in the debate, Mr. George Grapetritis focused on hydrocarbon investigations in areas south of Crete, which essentially cancel the Turkish-Livic Memorandum. “We are looking to be careful, but also to exercise the rights that the law gives us. Greece with wisdom and prudence is taking great steps. We have no intention of removing the right of any other country, nor to accept the impairment of our own right. “

Concerning the trade war, he assured that Greece is perfectly prepared for all scenarios. “We have a strong government, political stability and strong alliances,” he continued, though the country did not rule out the side effects of the trade war. “There should be a solution among allies, which is the effort to decompress,” he added. On the issue of Ukraine, he reiterated that Greece would stand by Kiev and will provide help, but “there is no question of forces for the time being.”

Of course, the debate could not be absent from the election of Greece as a non -permanent member of the UN Security Council, who, according to the Foreign Minister, marks a large and international vote of confidence in the country. “We have one purpose: to unite and not to divide,” he commented on the matter, recalling that in May Greece would take over the rotation of the SA. “Greece wants to play a strong role. We can do it because we are honest interlocutors, ”he continued, heralding a big event on May 20 in New York for Naval Security. “It is especially important because it ensures the route, food security, peace and prosperity.

Finally, he did not avoid admitting that “the current period is the worst time to be a foreign minister.” Indeed, as he noted, this is a conclusion, which is also shared by the foreign ministers of other countries. “Unfortunately, the way diplomacy has changed too much,” he commented, clarifying that the biggest problem lies in the predictability deficit.