JOURNALIST: On the other end of the phone line, as I said earlier, we have the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Gerapetritis, who has just returned from New York. Good day to you, Minister.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Good morning, Mr. Evgenidis. Thank you very much for the invitation.
JOURNALIST: Thank you for joining us. Actually, one of today's hot topics is our country’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Since the United Nations may seem a bit distant to many of our listeners, could you perhaps explain what it practically means for our country to be at this 15-member Council for the coming years?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The United Nations is the largest and most significant international organization. It currently comprises 193 countries, essentially all recognized states of the planet. It has two key bodies: the Security Council, which is composed of 15 members, of which 5 are permanent members, major countries, and 10 elected members serving for two years. And the General Assembly, which includes all states. The Security Council, to which we have been elected, is actually the body that produces all policies, that is to say, the one through which all recommendations and resolutions pass. It is the body where the right to veto exists for the permanent members. It is the body that deliberates on all major crises. Thus, it is shaping the international policy at the UN level. So, it is at this table that Greece will now have a seat for the 2025-26 term.
JOURNALIST: Yes, we received quite a number of votes, actually 182 votes. Now practically speaking, in my humble opinion, the Security Council is the only body that has substantial significance and some executive authority within the United Nations. That is not ideal for the collective method of decision-making and enforcement of international legality. But anyway, that is how things are. So, the question arises on how our country will proceed in the Middle East, if, let’s say, there is an issue, perhaps a draft resolution for peace in the region, in the coming period.
G. GERAPETRITIS: As you rightly put it, Greece received a very high acceptance rate. Out of the 188 countries that voted, we received 182 positive votes. About 98% of the countries that attended, endorsed Greece’s candidacy. This demonstrates the international recognition that our country enjoys. I believe our ambition is to act as a true bridge between different policies and states. Greece, as you are aware, is currently at the forefront of events in a geopolitical sense and possesses a significant diplomatic capital. It is situated between three continents, but unfortunately it is also in close proximity to two major wars currently tormenting the world. We will proceed on the basis of a single principle, and that is the adherence to International Law. We have earned this significant diplomatic capital, the international recognition, and mainly the ability to converse with all parties, precisely because we have been very consistent in conducting foreign policy based on International Law. We will never engage in transactional or opportunistic politics. We pursue a foreign policy that is based on principles. So, it is on the basis of these principles that we will now proceed.
Indeed, as you rightly said, the Middle East is currently the most pressing issue. Next week Greece will participate in a major peace conference taking place in Amman, Jordan, as it does in all significant meetings concerning the Middle East under the auspices and responsibility of the United Nations. Therefore, we realize that our stance will be decisive. I would like to remind you that Greece voted in favor of the resolution submitted to the United Nations for the expanded participation of the Palestinian Authority in the General Assembly and for fulfilling the conditions to make Palestine a recognized state. What remains, of course, is the international recognition of the Palestinian state. But what is most important today, and Greece will contribute to this creatively - because we are one of the very few countries that converse with the Palestinian Authority, and have excellent relations with the Arab world and with Israel - is the immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages, and the immediate provision of major humanitarian protection. To this end, we are taking every initiative, and now even more so.
JOURNALIST: I hear what you are saying, but I also hear some criticism and see some kind of initiatives. The criticism comes from the opposition here in Greece. The initiatives come from various European states advocating for the recognition of a Palestinian state. We have recently seen it in Spain, Ireland, and Norway. A decision was also made by the Parliament of Slovenia in the same direction and I imagine their government will proceed with the recognition of the Palestinian state. Is Greece considering this, or does it believe the time is not yet ripe? Especially given the strategic relationship we have had with Israel over the years.
G. GERAPETRITIS: The answer is very clear. The solution can only be the recognition of the Palestinian state based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, that is, the recognition of the state with its pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its the capital. That is the final solution. However, the manner in which we approach this solution is particularly important. For us, it is not a matter of bilateral or unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state. At this moment, the only truly beneficial outcome would be for this recognition to come within the framework of peace process decisions, that is, based on a specific tangible timeline that will lead to a ceasefire and the recognition of the Palestinian state. And this should be done within the framework of the UN. It is extremely important that the recognition of the Palestinian state does not come as a result of individual state recognitions, but as a central decision of the major international organization, which is the UN.
JOURNALIST: There is a criticism, on the other hand, suggesting that as long as no unilateral initiative is taken, Israel is emboldened and supports a war with dramatic humanitarian consequences, potentially for internal political reasons. You are also aware of this criticism. It has been indirectly but clearly voiced by President Biden, suggesting that Mr. Netanyahu continues in such high tone because his political existence is at stake.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It is quite obvious that Israel is currently in a phase of aggression, which is not acceptable. This is a disproportionate response, which we all agree should stop immediately. On the other hand, I honestly do not think there is even one sensible person who believes that Israel will cease its own operational actions if there is a unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state by various countries. With all due respect, this view is extremely simplistic and adds no real benefit to the negotiations that are taking place. Of course, there should be recognition of the Palestinian state, but it should be in a manner that absolutely ensures the security of Israel, absolutely ensures the return of displaced Palestinian people back to their homes. It is an entire solution package, to which no bilateral recognition can confer benefits. And with all due respect, I reiterate that this type of approach - recognition today and in this way the hostilities will stop -demonstrates, in my opinion, complete ignorance of reality and international relations.
JOURNALIST: Now, I can't help but ask you a question about Greek-Turkish relations, but I do not want to open up the discussion too much. According to the schedule of contacts in the next months, you expect to meet with Mr. Fidan on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington in July. Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Erdogan will meet again in September. Is the time ripe to begin addressing the core of the Greek-Turkish dispute, or is what has happened so far simply preserving and deepening this informal moratorium?
G. GERAPETRITIS: One does not exclude the other. Our goal is to maintain and extend the current state of calm in our neighborhood, while also becoming increasingly involved in the more complex issues of our bilateral relations. This includes, of course, the sole dispute that can be referred to international jurisdiction, which is the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone. I would like to emphasize the significance of this period of calm. We are cultivating it step by step, based on a positive agenda, but also on avoiding provocations. We understand that there may be some differentiation in some individual cases. However, there is some good news, as well. I would like to highlight a particularly positive development of the last few days - the discussion that has begun regarding the Theological School of Halki, an emblematic issue.
JOURNALIST: Do you believe that it will open? Is it assumed that Mr. Erdogan will make the decision?
G. GERAPETRITIS: This is an issue of high significance to us. We raise the issue as it should be done and we anticipate a solution that is both appropriate and will restore its historicity.
JOURNALIST: Was there any discussion during your previous meeting in Ankara?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The issue has been raised. We are following it and will always strive to do our best. Also, as you may have noticed, there have been relevant developments regarding the Parthenon Sculptures.
JOURNALIST: Did Türkiye vote in our favor as a non-permanent member of the Security Council yesterday?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Certainly. Türkiye voted for us yesterday for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council, and I was personally congratulated on our election with an overwhelming majority. The policies, developed within the framework of our current, shall we say, good relationship with Türkiye, extend to all levels. For us, the Parthenon Sculptures remain at the forefront of our claim. We hope for a more favorable development in the near future, allowing for the sculptures to return to their birthplace.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Gerapetritis, thank you very much for the discussion. All the best. Where will you vote on Sunday? In Piraeus?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Always in my hometown. We hope that we can all go to the polls with reflection and prudence. The first and most important thing is to have a large turnout. There should be no abstention. Elections do not lend themselves to indifference. Allow me to state the following, now that I know how the European Union operates. Every decision of the European institutions concerns us. I would also like to emphasize how significant it is for our representation in the European Union to be combative, assertive and mature.
JOURNALIST: Minister, thank you very much for the discussion. All the best.
June 7, 2024