It is very important Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to the USA in a particularly serious situation, due to the dramatic developments in our region, as well as the role that Greece is called to play due to its geostrategic position, but also due to its contribution to the promotion of common principles and values, the Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in an interview with the Free Press on Sunday shortly before the meeting of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with US President Joe Biden at the White House and his speech in Congress. In fact, Nikos Dendias points out that it is considered, rightly, as the most upgraded visit of a Greek prime minister in recent years.
In terms of Prime Minister’s speech at a joint congressional meetingspeaks of a historic moment in Greek-US relations and a significant symbolic move by the American side to emphasize the coexistence of Athens and Washington in the field of values ​​and perceptions, while noting that it is a privilege given for the first time to a Greek prime minister.
Nikos Dendias, who left Berlin last night, where he participated in informal dinner of NATO Foreign Ministersto attend the mission accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to the United States, announces that he is expected to have separate contacts with his US counterpart Anthony Blinken, as well as with the former Secretary of State and Special Envoy of the President of the United States Climate change John Kerry. In fact, as the Foreign Minister announces, he and John Kerry are expected to announce a joint initiative for the protection of the seas, based on the respect of the International Law of the Sea, as well as the practical and continuous interest of the Greek government for the environment. Besides, Nikos Dendias will participate in the meeting of the Prime Minister with the American President.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs makes a special reference to “upgrade of Alexandroupolis“both in the energy sector, with the start of construction of a floating gas station, and in relation to the port of the city, through which forces are transferred to other NATO countries”, emphasizing the importance of amending the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement .
You are asked to answer what the cooperation of Greece with the USA after ratification of the defense agreement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs underlines that during the last three years the strategic cooperation of our country with the USA has been strengthened to an unprecedented degree. In this regard, he points out that the second amendment to the Greece-US Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) reflects in a legal framework the will of the two countries to further deepen their historical friendship and long-standing cooperation and notes that the US has chosen Greece for the specific defense investment, thus confirming the significant strategic and stabilizing role of the country in the wider region. In fact, at the moment, as he adds, that the focus of their attention was the Indo-Pacific. At this point, he reiterates that this agreement is purely defensive and does not turn against any third party, while further strengthening the defense of our country from external threats. At the same time, he notes that the content of our country’s strategic relationship with the US is not reflected exclusively in the MDCA, but also in the letter of the US Secretary of State to the Prime Minister that accompanies this amendment protocol, but also in the US law “US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act “, which was passed in 2021 by Congress and includes, among others, material concessions, loans, funding for education, participation in the F35 program, material replacement, cooperation in the” 3 + 1 “format.
“Practices that may have been acceptable in the 19th century or even part of the 20th, are no longer”
Regarding Greece’s relations with Turkey, Nikos Dendias sends the timeless and clear message: “We are in favor of a constructive dialogue based on international law and especially the law of the sea.” At the same time, it makes clear that violations of national sovereignty, of sovereign rights, the constant repetition of the threat of use of force, revisionism have no place in these relations. “These practices are not only unacceptable, they are reprehensible. “And, of course, they undermine NATO’s cohesion at a critical juncture.”
Referring to the “dense net of political-diplomatic and defense agreements” that the government has concluded, Nikos Dendias emphasizes that Greece has expanded its horizons, is at the center of international developments, has a role and a say and methodically builds collaborations and alliances in all geographical area of ​​the planet beyond Europe. “This also signals the tremendous acceptance of our candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council. We have exceeded 100 supports. “We are also laying the groundwork for further openings with our candidacy for the Human Rights Council in 2027-2028 and for the presidency of the General Assembly in 2035,” he said. In this context, he states that “we feel proud and justified in our foreign policy.”
Asked how worried he was about the consequences of the war in the energy sector would ultimately test the EU’s cohesion, the foreign minister said the European Union was at a crossroads, where it needed to weigh the strength of unity and its determination to defend its principles and values ​​and, on the other hand, its concern for the consolidation of citizens’ energy security. However, he is convinced that, as with the pandemic, so now, the EU, the Member States will rise to the occasion and a solution will finally be found that will not leave any citizen unprotected.
Finally, when asked about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nikos Dendias said that the possible commission of war crimes in the whole country, including the areas where the Greek community lives, should be investigated and that this will be the message it will convey. to his interlocutors at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which he will visit in a few days. Outlining the current situation, he notes that Russia has confronted all democracies, but also democratic societies, which seem to be awakening and emphasizes that the message is clear: “practices that may have been acceptable in the 19th century or for some of the 20th, is no more. Concepts and principles such as respect for international law and international treaties, respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the avoidance of the use or threat of use of force, return dramatically to the core of international relations, delegitimizing any revisionist narratives. With all that means for the whole world, but also for our region “.
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