“You cannot call something Fair, which comes from the fist of the mighty” stressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, in his speech this evening at an event of the EKPA entitled “Greece Facing Contemporary International Challenges”.

Mr. Gerapetritis he emphasized that today no change of borders by force is understood, and he pointed out that in many cases International Law lacks the effectiveness that sovereignty grants, which is the accountability and applicability of the Law. “The Law must be applied” he said, and referring to today’s “changing world” stated:“I think what we are experiencing today is truly unprecedented both in Europe and in the world. Data, which existed for decades, such as for example that Europe is inaccessible, is shielded, has now disappeared. In the heart of Europe there is a great war, an extremely bloody war, while the European Union itself is fighting. And it is attacked both from within, but it is also attacked by the people themselves, who are now openly questioning the power, the persuasion of the European Union, with the main argument that it has a weakness in decision-making. But, mainly, because it fails to be able to contribute to the alleviation of the crises, which are around us. The basic principle that Europe is shielded and that any change of borders by force is not understood is now a thing of the past after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And within this environment there are a number of paradoxes, which shape, if you like, the new concept of international security architecture”.

Characterized as “really powerful weapon” the international law for states located “in a difficult neighborhood” and said that despite the fact that there is currently a greater than ever invocation of International Law, international politics seems to be drifting towards a much more transactional approach. “To put it in legal terms, since I am addressing a special audience, the one that one would expect when hearing International Law as a lever for the peaceful resolution of disputes – as the Charter of the United Nations requires, that is, to have the rule and on the basis of the rule to try to resolve the facts – what happens is that we have the solution and we are only looking for the legal basis. Which will in fact clothe a foregone conclusion, which is also the beneficial one. A purely utilitarian approach, to which International Law not only gives way – this would be the relatively better approach – but even constitutes a legitimized alibi for making decisions that undermine the persuasion of Law. Mostly, however, they hit the weak” said Mr.Gerapetritis.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs called it paradoxical that while there is an international perception that democracy around the world is strengthening and democracies are multiplying – thus authoritarian regimes are diminishing – in reality the exact opposite is true.

“Democracies in the world are retreating, authoritarianism is becoming more and more visible. The law of the strong is imposed and turns democracies into de facto authoritarian regimes. In the Economist’s Democracy Index count for 2024, 74 democracies were recorded – and 74 are full democracies, but also democracies which are deficient – while we have uncharacterized democracies in 93 states. You can imagine where this index would be if the reference was made not to democracy, which is a much more procedural phenomenon of our world, but to the rule of law, which also has very substantial paths to trace.” he said.

Three dangers for Europe

Mr.Gerapetritis he expressed his fears about three things. Firstlydoes Europe, but also the international system suffer the fate of ancient Athens, the “Athens syndrome”. As he said “Athens was a much more powerful state in all respects than Sparta. But why did it fall? Because he succumbed to the populism of the demagogues, as presented by Thucydides. And because today populism is the last resort used by those who are wronged or those who wish to have unfair access to power, the great danger is always within us. And for Europe, this danger is primarily within”.

THE second danger is – as he said – the danger of the fall of the “Macedonian Empire”, i.e. the lack of leadership or the lack of durable institutions.

“Unfortunately, today we observe the lack of durable institutions, the general retreat of institutions, as well as the lack of leadership several times in international fora. In order for peace and prosperity to survive, institutions are required. Where there are institutional gaps, it is certain that they will be filled by those who plan their operation. So we should all not be oblivious to the importance of building resilient institutions” he said.

THE third danger according to Mr Gerapetritis is the fall “of the ancien régime which was actually brought down by rival ideologies”.

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs said. “ideologies, which appear and are actually transmitted with lightning speed everywhere, can act as a psychological lever to devalue institutions. This ideological battle can lead to great problems for those who rely on values”.

Mr. Gerapetritis he also mentioned that our country today has diplomatic capital because it is based on principles and rules and not on transaction.

“To be able to converse with everyone, even when they cannot converse with each other. Greece is Israel’s strategic interlocutor, when at the same time we are talking at an excellent level with the entire Arab world and with the Palestinian Authority. We are a privileged interlocutor of the Palestinian Authority. A few hours after the Gaza Peace Conference, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, I had the opportunity to welcome the Palestinian Foreign Minister in a very high symbolism. Greece unites North and South, East and West. This is our presence in the Security Council. We set a number of priorities, which priorities are linked to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Something that unfortunately the modern world has forgotten and neglected. For the protection of children in armed conflicts, the protection of women and maritime security” stressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He also emphasized that he himself feels proud because today Greece has put forward arguments, which it never had before “Maritime Spatial Planning with the extreme limits of our own potential continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone, did not exist and today is a European acquis. The marine parks, which extend into areas of the country’s sovereignty, are important because they neutralize arguments that have existed against Greece for decades.”

He added that the fact that American giants are coming and investing and participating in Greece’s hydrocarbon exploration and production programs is actually the tangible impression that sovereign rights are recognized.

“All these are initiatives, just as the proposal put forward by the prime minister to convene an international conference of the Eastern Mediterranean with all the neighboring maritime countries is an initiative, it actually makes us urgent, it brings us to the fore, it makes us owners of the policies for us. And I say this honestly. There is no logic of reaction, there is logic of action. That’s the only way you win in this complicated world.” concluded Mr. Gerapetritis.

Western Balkans

Referring to the Western Balkans, he spoke of nationalism that has existed throughout the ages in this region, and is now being revived.

“There is no greater threat than a latent nationalism rising to the surface in a drugged environment. That is why the Western Balkans should be treated as a top priority. There is only one path, towards the European family” he said.