JOURNALIST: We are back at the OT Forum. We will now discuss current foreign policy issues. With my colleague Alexandra Fotaki, we welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, who is in Brussels.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Good day, it is a pleasure to connect with you virtually.
JOURNALIST: You will participate in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, where Ukraine will be the main topic of the discussions. Could you briefly describe the atmosphere there? What is happening on this particular issue?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Indeed, we are in Brussels for the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs’ Meeting, at a particularly critical juncture for international geopolitical developments. With major developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, which create an extremely volatile environment. Ukraine will be the primary topic of the discussions, in the midst of efforts to strengthen the international security architecture, which recently has been severely destabilized by the two major wars and the significant regional and international challenges. Euro-Atlantic relations remain strong. They are based on the respect for international law against any revisionism and in favor of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
JOURNALIST: Following Trump’s election, do you believe there can be pressure on the Europeans on defense issues? To what extent might there be room for a Greek initiative?
G. GERAPETRITIS: I understand that the question concerns initiatives that Greece could undertake at the international level and Greece's current position in the international arena. As you know, Ms. Fotaki, in about 27-28 days Greece will assume the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. This is an extremely critical role, especially considering the ongoing geopolitical developments worldwide. Greece becomes a co-shaper of the international security architecture and will be at the very center of the developments. As you are aware, Greece has set a major objective of its tenure in the Security Council, namely the restoration of the United Nations Charter with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the protection of vulnerable groups of citizens, particularly women and children in armed conflicts, maritime security, as well as additional forthcoming initiatives.
I consider it important that Greece is currently at the center of international developments, at the core of the European Union, within NATO, in the UN Security Council, and most probably with a strong presence in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Ministerial Council will be held on Thursday, in Malta, where Greece also aspires to play a significant role.
Greece has the privilege at the moment, in difficult times, to engage in dialogue with everyone, serving as a bridge between North and South, East and West and maintaining a principled stance that is appreciated by everyone. For this reason, our international footprint and capital are remarkable. We will further develop both, in order to create a multiplier effect for our country, fostering peace and prosperity, but also in order to meaningfully contribute to the global security architecture.
JOURNALIST: Since you mentioned the OSCE - there might also be a meeting with Mr. Fidan, if I am not mistaken, on the sidelines of these two Councils - how optimistic are you about achieving results on the OSCE candidacies? And secondly, if the meeting does take place, how is the situation following recent developments and in particular the statement that, at least for the time being, we cannot discuss the EEZ and the continental shelf?
G. GERAPETRITIS: We will be at the same venues with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs both here in Brussels, at the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs’ meeting, and in Malta, at the Ministerial Council of the OSCE. We will have the opportunity to further discuss. There are issues currently at the forefront of Greek-Turkish relations, in particular the organization of the forthcoming High Level Cooperation Council in Ankara. For this reason, we will coordinate our next steps. As you know, the new rounds of the Political Dialogue and the Positive Agenda are taking place in Athens yesterday and today. I think it is extremely important to maintain momentum in Greek-Turkish relations and to have these contacts, which help establish, if you will, a framework for good bilateral relations. Indeed, there has been no common ground so far on the major issue. The delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf is the only issue between Greece and Türkiye that can be brought before international jurisdiction.
Nevertheless, I believe we are now able to engage in discussions, even if we disagree. At the moment, Greece possesses a significant diplomatic capital, as I have mentioned. It has a substantially growing economy, strong armed forces and a very strong diplomatic presence. It moves forward with confidence and is capable of engaging in dialogue, even from a position of strength, with all its neighbors. Of course, there are issues in the relations between Greece and Türkiye. However, it is obvious that we could not expect, in just 16 months, to resolve decades-old issues between the two countries.
On the other hand, without being naive and always acting with prudence, we try to cultivate a peaceful relationship and move forward. Even if we cannot agree on everything, it is important to maintain the dialogue to prevent tensions and crises. I believe no one can dismiss the significant progress made over the past 16 months. Calm in the Aegean, without violations of Greek airspace, coordination on migration issues during a period of heightened mobility due to wars and crises, the strengthening of relations between the two peoples through the visa facilitation for our islands, and diplomatic international cooperation are all tangible achievements. We hope that, together with Türkiye, we will assume the two most critical OSCE positions on Thursday. These steps are significant because, in foreign policy, what truly matters is ensuring security, trust and confidence in the country. And that is what we strive for at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
JOURNALIST: Let me ask you the following, since you mentioned the word “tension”. Some think that Greece’s electricity interconnections both with Cyprus and in the Dodecanese, in the Northern Aegean Sea, are a “crash test” for the Greek-Turkish relations. Firstly, do you share this view? And secondly, will the planning go ahead? Will all announced projects be completed?
G. GERAPETRITIS: I would like to make a special reference to Cyprus, since it has been, and remains, and rightly so, the most important issue of Greek foreign policy. There have already been considerable developments on the Cyprus Issue. I would like to note that the improvement of Greece-Türkiye relations has played a pivotal role in the resumption of the talks on the Cyprus Issue under the auspices of the United Nations. I think it is absolutely crucial to offer an opportunity, so that, within the framework of the UN Security Council Resolutions on the Bi-zonal Bi-communal Federation, we can move forward to a new, united and European Cyprus, for a better present and a better future. I think that the great momentum created by the accession of Cyprus to the European family should continue.
I would like to stress the fact that, thanks to the coordination between Greece and Cyprus, we have managed to render the Cyprus Issue a major priority for the European Union. The European Council Conclusions of June 2023 linked the progress in the EU-Türkiye relations to the Cyprus Issue, while the Conclusions of April 2024 also made a clear reference to the fact that the European Union will monitor and actively participate in the process for the settlement of the Cyprus Issue.
It is the view of the government and its collective bodies, namely the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) and the Council of Ministers, that the period of inaction and inertia has not proven beneficial. We should have an active and multilateral foreign policy. I believe this is the time that Greece should pursue a really active foreign policy based on our position of strength. When entering into a negotiation, one should do so from a position of strength. Today, Greece finds itself in an exceptionally strong position, with powerful allies and a remarkable international footprint, while fostering growth and prosperity, not just for today but for the future as well.
JOURNALIST: That would actually be my next question. My question concerned the electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus and whether that was a “crash test” for the Greek-Turkish relations, considering the tension we witnessed in Kasos. And whether the Greek government intends to proceed with the announced plans for electrical interconnections.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I will start by stressing how important it is that in recent years Greece has developed an autonomous energy and interconnectivity policy. It is in fact a form of intelligent deterrence, a diplomacy with a multiplier effect.
I would like to draw your attention to the major energy infrastructure projects currently underway: the Interconnecting Pipeline Greece-Bulgaria (IGB); the EastMed pipeline in the Eastern Mediterranean; the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupolis; the electricity interconnection between Greece and Egypt, and, of course, the biggest interconnectivity project, to which Greece wishes to participate, namely IMEC, that is, the economic corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe. In light of the above, Greece has, together with Cyprus, secured the selection of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection as an EU Project of Mutual Interest. This is a very important achievement, because in this way, the demand to put an end to the energy isolation of Cyprus and create a European single energy area is upgraded.
The project will proceed according to schedule. I can understand that this can create tensions. Nevertheless, these tensions have not led to crisis. And in this case, where there has allegedly been a concession by Greece, I can assure you that there has been none. What did happen is that the site survey related to the interconnection project continued as planned, without any concession regarding the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. And it will continue as planned. If we want our possible discussions with Türkiye on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf to advance, it is obvious that we must first and foremost ensure that there is calm and that tensions are avoided. Only in this manner can any discussion be beneficial.
JOURNALIST: Indeed. We all wish for calm. Thank you very much, Minister, despite the communication problems, since you are in Brussels. We wish you success in your work.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Thank you.
December 3, 2024