Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, following his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides (Athens, 13 January 2020)

N. DENDIAS: Ladies and gentlemen, today I once again had the pleasure of meeting with my friend the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.

We talked about the latest developments in the region and our next steps in the context of our close cooperation.

In fact, a few minutes ago you saw us sign the Memorandum on Political Consultations and Technical Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, which we expect to strengthen our collaboration even further on the bilateral, regional and European levels.

We are moving ahead with important initiatives, such as the recent signing of the agreement on the EastMed pipeline. We are developing strong cooperation mechanisms with countries of the region, in the context of a community of common understanding, as shown by the meeting in Cairo, in which France participated, with Italy also there as an observer.

I will repeat here today that our initiatives are not directed against anyone. Conversely, any countries that want to join are welcome, under the obvious condition, of course, that they operate within the framework of international law and choose cooperation and stability over tension and instability.

We of course talked extensively about Turkey’s illegal and provocative actions in the Mediterranean region. Actions that are no longer limited to the Aegean and the maritime zones of the Republic of Cyprus. They are leaving their illegal footprint in Iraq and, now, in Libya.

Claims of supposed actions of self-defence from supposed conspiracies aimed at excluding Turkey from its maritime environs or energy developments convince no one. Nor do they legitimise the illegal actions.

The agreements with the government in Tripoli clearly violate international law. They are null and void and produce no legal effect. They not only attempt to usurp the sovereign rights of third countries in the Mediterranean, but are also destabilising for Libya itself and the wider region. They undermine peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It is time the Turkish side understood that this conduct is counterproductive, even for Turkey itself. It draws condemnation and results in Turkey’s isolation.

We want a Turkey that is thriving and capable of adopting the European political and democratic acquis. It is encouraging that Turkey recently conveyed to the European Union its commitment to the accession process. However, I am sad to observe that, through its actions, Turkey is effectively contradicting what it has put in writing.

Mr. Christodoulides and I also had the opportunity to talk about the prospects for the Cyprus problem, which is historically a top priority of Greek foreign policy. Greece remains ready to work to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. Always in the framework of international legality and, more specifically, the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

With these words I once again welcome to Athens my dear friend the Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. Nikos Christodoulides.

[…]

JOURNALIST: My question is for both Ministers. In recent days, and today in particular, we have seen a lot of activity regarding the developments in Libya. Today we have the meeting of the two sides in Moscow. The Turkish side has been active too. The meeting with Ms. Merkel was announced, and today there is the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister. What is your comment on these developments and what is the stance of the Greek and Cypriot sides?

N. DENDIAS: First of all, as you know, for both of us -but of course I’m speaking for the Greek side- the situation is of increased interest. For Greece there was a great deal at stake following the signing of the null and void memoranda by Turkey and the government in Tripoli.Consequently, what is of great and decisive importance for us -beyond bringing peace to a Mediterranean country- is recognition that these two alleged agreements are null and void.

So these are our goals in the broader framework of our activities. And in this context, beyond the other very important bilateral issues, I will be talking to the Moroccan leadership the day after tomorrow, and with Algeria and Tunisia in the near future. In any case, this is a topic of our discussions with all the countries of the region, the Gulf countries and our partners in the European Union.

So these are our priorities. You know them. This is the way we are proceeding. We have made it absolutely clear and we are monitoring developments closely.

[…]

JOURNALIST: Thank you. First, a question for Mr. Christodoulides. As you mentioned the European Union’s role in the coming developments, I wanted to ask whether the Republic of Cyprus is satisfied with the European Union’s stance on Turkey, and where we stand with the sanctions on companies and natural persons for violations of the Cypriot EZZ, and whether this is covered in the Memorandum. If this was discussed, how will the two sides coordinate on this.

And, if I may, a question for the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs. I would like to ask whether there has been any development with regard to the demarche made by Iran, and whether you have talked to the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs about this issue. Thank you.

[…]

N. DENDIAS: Regarding Iran, you are well informed. A demarche was made to the Greek Embassy in Tehran, and the Iranian side requested a conversation between Mr. Zarif and myself. I will be very pleased to talk to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran. We’ve talked before, after all – in New York.

Today at 17:30 was proposed as the time for our talk. That’s the time when my friend the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus will be visiting the Prime Minister, and I have to be there. So my talk with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran will probably take place tomorrow morning.

Thank you very much.