The visit of the Prime Minister to the USA, who “gave us the comfort to say that they understand the Greek position”, described the visit of the Prime Minister as extremely successful, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in an interview with the main news bulletin of Star TV, shortly after his return from Washington, where he participated in the ministerial mission that accompanied Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mentioned in his meeting with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken, Nikos Dendias said that he had the opportunity to show him more maps from the White House, because there has been the issue of overflights lately. He described the overflights as an “extremely annoying” issue and made it clear that at a time when NATO is facing an external threat and an international crisis, two allied countries cannot have such problems with full responsibility of Turkey. This, he noted, must be explained to the American side, so that there is a clear understanding of the field.
At the same time, he stressed that the whole discussion was not only about Turkey, as there are a number of challenges in the region. As he characteristically mentioned, the Western Balkans, Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean, the possibility of cooperation, the 3 + 1 cooperation scheme, the situation in the Arab world, the opportunities for cooperation with the Arab world and beyond, with India, Egypt were also these parts of his conversations with Anthony Blinken.
Asked to answer whether the warm welcome to the Prime Minister in the US, the warm reactions and the positive comments about his speech in the Congress, will have a practical counterpart in the Greek interests, Nikos Dendias noted that the warmth of this visit is unprecedented. “The fact that the Prime Minister was given the first opportunity to a Greek Prime Minister to address the two bodies, the way President Biden addressed Mr. Mitsotakis, the words of the First Lady at the reception at the White House, were unprecedented for Greece.” he mentioned and stressed that these are the points of a relationship that has been built step by step all the previous years. From there, he pointed out that these alone signal an atmosphere that suggests the US position on the wider problems of the region. “We do not expect the United States to become an enemy of Turkey or to expel Turkey from NATO. “We expect a clear position from the United States on issues of international law and the law of the sea and the possibility that they have not to intervene in the event of an incident, but to prevent the incident,” he clarified.
Asked about the annoyance of the Turks regarding this visit, the Foreign Minister said that he is always puzzled with Turkey, because he has some reaction reflexes that he does not understand. “Greece, the prime minister did his job, as prime minister of Greece. The visit had no anti-Turkish character. He defended the Greek interests. He explained the Greek positions, developed the problems in the region “, he explained and added that what Turkey should probably do is to have a convincing reason to address the superpower and the world community. In this context, he stressed that the fact that he is bothered shows exactly the lack of arguments.
In June, Greece and the United States will announce an initiative for the seas
Regarding his meeting with the US President’s Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, the Secretary of State, after saying that he is an extremely important man for the American development, referred to the importance of maritime cooperation between Greece and the USA. “Greece is a country that has to do with the sea and is the country that has the largest merchant shipping in the world. “What we are planning together with the American side is an initiative for the seas”, which concerns both the Greek interests, but also the global protection of the environment, he announced. He announced that the announcement of the initiative for the seas will be made jointly with the American side in June, assuring that their meeting yesterday had something more practical than a general view of the horizon.
There was cordiality in the acceptance of the request for the F-35 – Rewarding the consistent and serious position of Greece
As for the F-35, he said that it is an excellent weapon, a 5th generation aircraft, which at some point should be part of the Greek arsenal and added that “what happened with the visit of the Prime Minister is to start a long procedure”. As he said, it will take years, while at the same time announcing that there was cordiality in accepting the request. “I did not see any question marks and this is another reward for the consistent and serious position of Greece all this time,” he underlined.
“Greece will use all its capabilities to stop the upgrade of Turkish weapons systems to the extent that Turkey violates international law, threatens us, continues with casus belli”
Asked to comment that Turkey is pushing for an F-16 upgrade, the Foreign Minister made it clear that if Turkey has specific weapons systems, there must be assurances that it will not use them against Greece. “Consequently, Greece can not agree, to the extent necessary, on the supply of weapons systems to Turkey or the upgrade of existing weapons systems if they threaten ourselves in the Aegean after a period of time,” he added.
In fact, he said that Greece will use all the possibilities it has, where it has them, to stop the upgrade of the Turkish weapons systems to the extent that Turkey violates international law, threatens us, he continues with the casus belli. If we ever talk about another Turkey, then there will be another Greek stance. And Greece always consistently wishes for this other Turkey.
Answering the question whether they found favorable ears in the Congress, Nikos Dendias said characteristically: “I will not tell you, look at the photos and the snapshots. I think you will understand. ” In addition, he reminded that the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs is Mr. Menendez, but also the positions of the Congress. “The whole semiology of this visit and the way in which we were received and heard, gives all the answers that need to be given. Beyond that, it is up to Turkey with its behavior and attitude to change the US view. “To give the impression that it is a consistent, credible ally that cares about NATO and does not threaten its neighbors.”
Greece is absolutely positive about the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO
Regarding the official request submitted by Finland and Sweden to join NATO, the Foreign Minister stressed that Greece is absolutely positive, it is two friendly countries, EU members, two democracies with which Greece speaks the same language and have common understanding of a number of things. He pointed out that what makes a huge impression is the Turkish attitude towards the request of these two countries.
Asked about Erdogan’s bargains on this issue, Nikos Dendias replied that it is not the time for bargains and there is no room for bargains. “There is a global crisis, Turkey is already quite exposed by not imposing sanctions on Russia. The fact that all the mega-yachts of the Russian oligarchs are moored in Bodrum and on the shores of Turkey alone exposes Turkey, at a time when the Ukrainians are fighting for their existence and independence. Beyond that, the last thing Turkey should do is start the oriental bazaars. It will not benefit her, “he added.
Referring to the argument made by Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu at the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Berlin, Nikos Dendias said that it is not convincing at all and noted that Turkey calls a terrorist who simply does not like.
Greece is an energy hub in Central and Eastern Europe and the most important energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Foreign Minister then sent the message that Greece is becoming the hub for energy transmission to Central and Eastern Europe, specifically stating that the new FSRU (floating storage terminal and LNG terminal) in Alexandroupolis will be the source of power supply and the Bulg. and a number of other countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans with liquefied natural gas. This development is a huge reward for the choice of Alexandroupolis and its role, he underlined.
He also pointed out that the transfer of electricity from Africa to Asia are developments that we will see implemented in a very short time and will confirm that Greece will be the most important energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this context, he highlighted the geopolitical importance for Greece. “This comes to strengthen our geopolitical role, our footprint and also to create growth and jobs in our country,” he said.
Finally, when asked about the opposition’s accusations during his visit to the United States, Nikos Dendias said that the pre-election time has risen or appears on the horizon and this forces the opposition to take positions that are small-minded and sound miserable. He said that what he would expect from a real opposition, is to say two good words about the prime minister’s excellent visit to Washington. “The winner is not Mr. Mitsotakis and ND here. It is our homeland and there is no room for petty partisan misery. We do not have to share the national capital, it belongs to all of us, it is for all of us and we must all celebrate. “If I were the leader of the opposition, with all due respect, I would have congratulated Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his excellent speech in Congress,” he concluded, concluding the interview with journalist Mara Zaharea.
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