Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Katrougalos’ interview with the Cyprus New Agency (24 June 2019)

JOURNALIST: How satisfied is Athens with the European partners’ stance following the two-day meeting of the European Council? Do you think the EU’s stance on Turkey and its taking specific measures will put a stop to Turkey’s provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean?

G. KATROUGALOS: Nicosia and Athens won a major diplomatic victory. For the first time, the European Council’s recent decision includes concrete measures, and in even sterner phrasing than that of the General Affairs Council. The European Union is now moving from words to action. Turkey has already received this message. It is no coincidence that the Turkish Foreign Ministry accuses the EU of bowing to Greece and Cyprus by adopting a policy of principles. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean Turkey will immediately stop its illegal actions. But it means that the longer Ankara persists, the more it will lose, rather than gain. It is losing diplomatic capital and becoming even more isolated. And the more isolated it becomes, the more it jeopardises its very vulnerable economy. So, calmly and coolly, we have to continue this policy of principles, which, if Turkey persists in its illegal activities, will bring the elaboration of specific measures – substantial and not soft, as President Juncker put it.

JOURNALIST: Given that Turkey does not accept the International Law of the Sea, are there other ways for Cyprus and Greece to react?

G. KATROUGALOS: Turkey has to realise that respect for international law, and in particular for the Law of the Sea, is the only path. Projection of power and strategic revisionism are proving more and more pointless for Turkey. The continuation of these policies has not only failed to benefit the creation of accomplished facts or to enable Turkey to create grey areas – either geographically or in terms of sovereign rights – but is also isolating it within the international community, as the recent condemnations have shown.

JOURNALIST: What is your assessment of the reactions of the U.S., Israel and Egypt following Turkey’s latest moves in the Cypriot EEZ?

G. KATROUGALOS: These countries, like the European Union, sent a clear message in defence of international legality, and, by extension, clear support for the positions of the Republic of Cyprus. This is no coincidence. This is an achievement of Cypriot and Greek diplomacy; the result of the systematic effort of recent years. The delimitation of the Cypriot EEZ and the awarding of block concessions to major multinational companies contributed decisively. At the same time, we had the systematic and coordinated effort of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, which focused on raising EU awareness, enhancing solidarity through Greece’s Med7 initiative and upgrading strategic cooperation with the U.S., while also promoting the trilateral platforms for strategic cooperation that we have developed in the region, primarily with Egypt and Israel.

JOURNALIST: With the negotiations on the Cyprus problem at an extended impasse, have the UN efforts to reopen the Cyprus talks – through Ms. Lute – essentially stopped? Is there communication with Athens?

G. KATROUGALOS: We communicate regularly with Ms. Lute, to whom we have forwarded our longstanding national positions. We and the Cypriot side want to resolve the Cyprus issue “yesterday,” but we don’t want just any solution. The Cyprus issue can be resolved only on the basis of the UN resolutions. The Geneva and Crans Montana process re-framed the Cyprus problem in its proper dimensions: as an issue of international legality. At long last, the matter of security, withdrawal of occupation forces and abolition of the anachronistic system of guarantees was placed at the top of the agenda. Any future negotiations will have to take this as their starting point.

JOURNALIST: Have any new ideas been submitted that might break the impasse?

G. KATROUGALOS: In the framework I just described, every new idea is welcome, but I’m not aware of any such thing.

JOURNALIST: Given that the scenario of Turkey’s joining the EU is looking more and more unlikely, what do you think are the strong negotiating cards of the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides in terms of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem?

G. KATROUGALOS: Commitment to international legality, which in general is our shared diplomatic line. Deepening and strengthening of our alliances. And above all, confidence and faith in the justness of our positions.

JOURNALIST: How might Greece react if Turkey attempts exploration south of Kastelorizo?

G. KATROUGALOS: We have sent the necessary messages to stop the other side from even considering such a move.