“G. Kotsiras: By pursuing a principled foreign policy, we serve as a pillar of stability in the region”
The particular emphasis placed by the Government on strengthening Greece's relations with the Greek Diaspora was underlined by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Kotsiras, in an interview with ethnos.gr and journalist Katerina Kokkaliari, noting that "the road map for the next steps is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad". Furthermore, he mentioned a series of initiatives in the diplomatic field, emphasising that "by pursuing a principled foreign policy, and having acquired increased diplomatic capital, we serve as a pillar of stability in the region".
When asked about Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Kotsiras underscored that the existing disagreements between the two countries cannot be resolved overnight but "our aim is not to turn every disagreement into a crisis and to keep the channels of communication open". On the crisis in the Middle East, he noted that "Greece is present, being a consistent, reliable interlocutor for all parties" and will continue to actively support any initiative that promotes a just and viable solution to the Middle East issue. Regarding the war in Ukraine, he stated that "we have from the very first moment maintained a firm principled stance, against aggression and revisionism, with no ifs or buts" and "we will continue to actively engage in the common European effort to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity".
Lastly, in the run-up to the European elections, Mr. Kotsiras emphasized that establishing postal voting is a significant step toward Greek voters’ equal treatment and referred to our Consular Authorities’ contribution to inform Greeks abroad.
The full interview is as follows:
JOURNALIST: Greek-Turkish communication channels remain open. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet again in the spring. Of course, Ankara has just demonstrated that it has not abandoned its high-toned rhetoric. Do you believe there will be calm waters in the near future, and how easy will it be to refer to the Court in The Hague?
G. KOTSIRAS: We have set Greek-Turkish relations on a path of normalization which is an achievement that we have to preserve. The existing disagreements between Greece and Türkiye cannot be resolved overnight. But our aim is not to turn every disagreement into a crisis and to keep the channels of communication open. With prudence and self-confidence, we come step by step to the next stages of political dialogue, positive agenda, and confidence-building measures. Our main asset both in our relations with Türkiye and in our relations with the countries in the wider region is our unwavering adherence to the principles of International Law.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned about the possibility of an escalation of tension in the Middle East and a crisis spillover? Do you believe that the international community could launch additional diplomatic initiatives at this juncture, and if so, what role might Greece play in such an effort?
G. KOTSIRAS: The escalation of tension in the Middle East is of deep concern to us. The tragic loss of civilian lives and the use of hostages as a negotiating tool flagrantly violate any notion of human dignity. An immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid are required. The current diplomatic efforts for peace in the region should be supported and intensified.
Greece is present, being a consistent, reliable interlocutor for all parties. By pursuing a principled foreign policy, and having acquired increased diplomatic capital, we serve as a pillar of stability in the region. We are strongly opposed to any illegal use of force and will continue to actively support any initiative that promotes a just and viable solution to the Middle East issue and peace in the wider region and the world.
JOURNALIST: For the first time, Greeks living abroad who meet certain requirements (such as being registered on the electoral rolls) will be able to vote via postal voting in the upcoming European elections. What measures have been implemented to safeguard personal data and maintain the integrity of the voting process?
G. KOTSIRAS: Establishing postal voting beginning with the upcoming European elections will modernize the exercise of the right to vote and is a significant step toward Greek voters’ equal treatment. Greeks living abroad will be able to vote from their place of residence, without having to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres, without any inconvenience.
The postal voting process, which begins with voter registration via the Ministry of Interior's electronic platform and is described in detail in Law 5083/2024, meets all the standards set by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) (to ensure the integrity of the vote). Furthermore voters’ personal data are fully protected by the EU General Data Protection Regulation and national legislation.
JOURNALIST: So far, how many Diaspora Greeks have registered to vote by postal voting and how could participation be increased?
G. KOTSIRAS: The website epistoliki.ypes.gov.gr, where one can register to vote by postal voting, regularly publishes statistics on the total number of registered voters. Already over 25,000 of our compatriots have registered - with the percentage of registrations from outside Greece increasing.
Given that this is a process that is being implemented for the first time, informing our compatriots around the world is crucial to increase participation. We are collaborating with the Ministry of Interior, which is leading the information campaign, to ensure that Greeks abroad are as fully informed as possible. Relevant instructions have already been provided to our consular Authorities across the world, which will aid in both informing citizens about the process and assisting those who are unable to register on the platform themselves. In all my recent visits abroad - to Chicago, Brussels, Vienna - I have noticed Greeks’ interest in postal voting. We hope that participation will increase significantly as we step up our information actions and approach the deadline for submitting the registration application.
JOURNALIST: In the latest opinion polls, New Democracy maintains a clear lead, and the gap with opposition parties is not closing. Are you concerned about the possibility of voters’ complacency in the European elections and a casual vote?
G. KOTSIRAS: Maintaining New Democracy's clear lead in opinion polls, as well as the results of the most recent national elections, reinforces our sense of responsibility to meet the expectations of the Greek people and to continue our multifaceted reform efforts to build an even stronger Greece, ensuring progress, prosperity, and security for all citizens - a truly European country. Undoubtedly, New Democracy's lead in the opinion polls is a recognition of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has earned the confidence of both Greek voters and numerous leaders and personalities worldwide, upgrading our country's international image.
Certainly, we are not complacent, and we are aware that many problems persist. In order to resolve them we will have to fight battles at European level as well. A strong result in favour of New Democracy will strengthen Greece's voice in the decision-making centres in Brussels. We will engage in the battle of the European elections with all our strength, for the benefit of both Greece and Europe.
JOURNALIST: What initiatives will be undertaken in the near future to strengthen relations between Greece and the Greek Diaspora? What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ strategic plan for Greeks abroad include?
G. KOTSIRAS: Enhancing Greece's relations with the Greek Diaspora has been a top priority for our government and we have demonstrated it in practice with a series of initiatives that will be continued. The road map for our next steps is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad. For the first time, a unified, coherent strategy with specific objectives, pillars, and actions is developed for Greeks Abroad, with a four-year horizon to assure its continuity and duration. The Plan’s strategic objectives include, inter alia: supporting Greek Diaspora networks and structures, promoting the Greek language and culture, strengthening ties with Orthodox ecclesiastical institutions, upgrading services provided to Greeks Abroad, and reaching out to the new Diaspora.
The main pillars of the Strategic Plan have been entered into consultation via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website mfa.gr and there has already been a response from Greeks around the world. .I invite every interested reader to read the Plan and provide feedback and suggestions. Our goal is for the Strategic Plan to have a dynamic character, with actions being evaluated and constantly readjusted. Two-way communication with Hellenism worldwide is our constant pursuit and a valuable guide for our next steps.
JOURNALIST: The Prime Minister recently met with V. Zelensky in Odessa, where a missile attack occurred during the visit, and mentioned Greece's continuous support for Ukraine. What is the significance of this visit?
G. KOTSIRAS: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' recent visit to Odessa confirmed once again Greece's support for Ukraine's righteous fight to defend its national sovereignty. This is a firm principled stance that we have maintained, from the very first moment, against aggression and revisionism with no if or buts.
We participate in the EU's defence assistance to Ukraine, support its European and Euro-Atlantic perspective and played a leading role in the European Council's decision to disburse an additional €50 billion to assist Ukraine over the next four years. Moreover, looking ahead, we recently organised an international conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We will continue to support Ukraine and actively engage in the common European effort to restore its territorial integrity.
March 10, 2024