“Our foreign policy is very specific: Greece is growing. Expand its diplomatic footprint rather than shrink. We proved it through the marine spatial planning, the chevron, the marine parks. We prove it every day, Greece is growing up“, The foreign minister said George Gerapetritisspeaking to SKAI 100.3.

“Is there anyone who wants troubled waters, especially in this critical international context?” stated characteristically invited to comment on developments around the Greek -Turkish.

As he said, there was a conscious choice by KYSEA to go to the logic of dialogue with Turkey, which was sought by all the governments of the Transfiguration. “The difference in this case is that the dialogue was structured, with beginning, middle and end and deliverable. First surrender to minimization of violations of national airspace, where until recently we had about 7,000 violations, with whatever risk it implies. We had minimized migratory flows from the east, as well as an increase in bilateral trade. “

And continued by saying:

“I don’t think there has been a time when we have so many discussions at the leadership level. So far the prime minister has met with the Turkish president 7 times. The cancellation in New York became a legitimate reason, the multilateral meeting convened by Donald Trump with the leaders of Muslim and Arab cards, in the presence of Mr Erdogan. I recall that Mr Erdogan canceled all the meetings he had planned at that time, as well as with Georgia Meloni. “

“Crisis in Greek -Turkish relations there is no“The minister categorically clarified. “We continue our dialogue, trusting measures and positive agenda. Leaders will find themselves, but it is not always easy to organize such meetings. The meeting is not the meeting, it is an end in itself that the relationship is not to produce judgments. “

“No work is being able to cause a rupture between Greece-Cyprus”

About Greece – Cyprus electric interconnectionMr Gerapetritis said that it is a project that removes the energy isolation of Cyprus and is therefore particularly important for Cyprus. For Greece it has no additional energy value, but it has a huge geopolitical value for Hellenism as a whole, as he said

The minister acknowledged that there are some statements that question the financial viability of the project and this is something – as he said – that must be clarified. He noted that the settlement of economic issues, issues related to cost allocation and which should be undertaken.

“The Greek government was clear: We support this work, without asterisks, and we expect such universal support from Cyprus. Solve all the pending and then our desire and willingness is to keep the cable to continue normally. “

“No work is able to cause a rupture between Greece and Cyprus, the relationship of which will remain brotherly“, He added.

“The Greek continental shelf is not occupied by the research of Piri Reis”

To a question about the Rey Mr. Gerapetritis underlined: “This is a surface research, it does not occupy a Greek continental shelf and so it is not contrary to international law. What is contrary to international regulations is that Navtex was issued immediately by Greece, which issued its own anti-Navtex. Research itself does not affect us. In any case, it is something we are watching. “

Finally, as to Antonis Samaras And his criticism of the government noted that he does not feel that he is a personal confrontation. “I have repeatedly said that I respect Mr Samaras and his story, but what I want to emphasize is that his positions are raised not from my own personal policy, but from the government’s policy. “

“I think Mr Samaras has a different approach, so convergence is de facto difficult on his part,” ended up.