Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias sent a letter to the Attorney General of the International Criminal Courtasking to investigate committing crimes in Mariupol and in the villages of Sartana and Volnovakawhere at the beginning of the war there were expatriate victims, as he states in an interview with the newspaper Kathimerini.
«We will continue to push for it issue of Mariupol in all fora and to emphasize that the commission of war crimes should be thoroughly investigated“, He emphasizes characteristically.
As he underlines “for Greece the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Greek community of Ukraine is a top priority, especially in the Black Sea coastal region, in cities such as Mariupol and Odessa, where the Greek element has lived for centuries.“, While recalling his recent visit to Odessa.
Unfortunately, he says, as far as Mariupol is concerned, “the situation is tragic and the city has virtually ceased to exist“, While adding that”we are not allowed to go there in order not to see for ourselves the magnitude of the disaster».
The Minister of Foreign Affairs clarifies that “Greece will continue to support, as a fundamental principle, tthe territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine» and emphasizes that despite them historical ties that our country has with Russia, “Greece had no choice».
«He did what the principles he serves dictate, the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations: Respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states“, Notes and adds:
«Greece condemns any invasion as a starting point. We would be inconsistent if, defending our positions e.g. in the Cyprus issue, we did not defend the same principles in every case “.
«By its actions, Russia, unfortunately, did not allow us a choice. The level of Greek-Russian relations is the result of the choices of the Russian government, not our countryHe notes.
The Foreign Minister states that “no one can predict the next moves of the Russian side», while “Theoretically, even a possible attack on Odessa could trigger the escalation of hostilities in other countries.».
Regarding the possibility of application Sweden and Finland join NATO, states that any relevant decision is a sovereign choice of these states. «Both countries are our partners in the European Union, they contribute to European Security and, of course, if they choose to join NATO, Greece has no reason to oppose it in principle.».
He reminds that Greece, in contrast to Turkey, which does not allow the rapprochement of Austria and Cyprus with NATO, does not use its position in NATO to promote selfish interests.
Greece’s important role in the EU energy independence
Reporting in Greek-American relationsMr. Dendias notes that the rapid transfer of American forces to strengthen the eastern wing of NATO, through Greek facilities, proves the special importance of the signing of the second amendment to the Greece-US Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA).
«The decisive role that our country plays in the stability of the wider region, in such a critical time, is highlighted once again, something that, moreover, have been underlined by American officials.“, Underlines and adds that Greece’s expectation is to maintain and strengthen relations with the United States, and in this context, the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington is planned soon..
Also the cooperation with the USA in the “3 + 1” scheme (Greece, Israel, Cyprus and the USA), in the framework of which a meeting of the Foreign Ministers is expected, possibly in the coming weeks, “contribute to the planning of joint actions aimed at promoting security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean». He emphasizes the importance that the United States attaches to the leading and stabilizing role that Greece plays in the Western Balkans.
Our country “has the opportunity to play an important role in the EU’s efforts to energy independence from Russia“, As it can become a regional gas delivery station, through the facilities for conversion of liquefied natural gas in Revythousa and Alexandroupolis (FSRU) and natural gas pipelines (TAP and IGB). The possibility of exploiting deposits is also being considered, as the Prime Minister recently announced.
However, he emphasizes that “The field of energy transition is a key priority of our country and the government and this strategy does not change».
Regarding the EastMed pipeline projectnotes that “remains “alive” as never before, but the final decision on its implementation will be made on economic and environmental criteria“, While reminding”the uninterrupted US support for the electricity interconnection between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, the “Euro-Asia Interconnector”, which has exactly the same route as the East-Med pipeline».
Greek foreign policy should not be a misprint of Turkish
Asked about Turkey’s stance on the Ukraine war which has been characterized as “expert neutral”, Mr. Dendias clarifies thatGreek foreign policy can not and should not be a misprint of Turkish».
«Historically, Turkey has been trying to play the role of an “intermediate” power“, He states. «On the contrary, Greece has managed to be an integral part of a specific political, cultural and value space, much more advanced. This has been our great historical success».
«If we try to copy Turkey, we will be mispronounced and face problems of unreliability without benefits“, He emphasizes.
He also notes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine found all the democracies that imposed sanctions on it.
«The practices that were accepted in the 19th or even part of the 20th century find themselves facing the solid front of the Republics.“, Points out and adds:”A framework is formed in which revisionist narratives, the questioning of borders, international treaties, the threat or use of force are morally delegitimized. They are no longer seen simply as an embarrassing dissent, but as what they really are: a serious threat to international peace and security».
Regarding escalation of Turkish provocations in the Aegeanthe Foreign Minister points out that Greece has strongly protested on the Turkish side, both in Athens and in Ankara, emphasizing that any violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is a blatant violation of international law.
«We emphasize that these actions are not in line with de-escalation efforts “and” we emphasize that there are no two measures and two weights for violations of international law».
Reporting in the Western Balkansstates that already before the outbreak of war there were hotbeds of destabilizationespecially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the ominous scenario of an ignition has not been ruled out, and points out that the answer to the challenges is to “flee forward”, by strengthening the European perspective of the region.
He reminded that Greece has pioneered the shaping of the European perspective of the Western Balkans and continues to work for it, while the immediate priority is the start of EU accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia.
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