JOURNALIST: How did you feel when the Prime Minister informed you that you would take over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? How do you intend to move forward in the Ministry?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Fully realizing the significance but also the stakes of assuming the political leadership of a ministry intertwined with the very existence, history and international image of the country, I felt honored and a great responsibility. With the sense of confidence and international recognition we have gained as well as with the mobilization of all of the Greek community’s sources of power across the world, our homeland does not pursue a foreign policy in contradistinction to others but rather focuses on enhancing active extroversion and public diplomacy, as well as building a multifaceted foreign policy. My intention is to work so that Greeks feel proud and shielded. I truly feel that I am accountable to all Greek citizens and to generations to come.
JOURNALIST: You participated in perhaps the most crucial meeting between the leaders of Greece and Türkiye in the last four years. Do you expect the current calm atmosphere in the Aegean to continue?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and the Turkish President in Vilnius was held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding. We are beginning a process of dialogue with good intentions and we want this new effort to be characterized with sincerity and trust. A first step has been taken. The détente that currently prevails in the Aegean is a necessary condition for this new beginning to flourish. However, further continuity and consistency in a positive perspective of true friendship, peace and cooperation will be required.
JOURNALIST: Is President Erdogan engaged in a sincere normalization of his relations with the West, or is that a coincidental occurrence?
G. GERAPETRITIS: I cannot interpret the motives of the Turkish President’s will. The Greek government wants a climate of cooperation and dialogue. I personally look forward to building a reliable and stable relationship with my Turkish counterpart, with whom I have already taken the first steps towards a direct and substantial channel of communication. As for Türkiye's relations with the West, in particular with the European Union, Greece's position is well known and firm. Progress in EU-Turkish relations would contribute to bring calm to an extremely fragile region. And vice versa, progress in the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations constitutes an essential element for the EU-Türkiye rapprochement. In any case, we will play an active role in any decisions and conclusions made by the European Council regarding Türkiye.
JOURNALIST: Do you see any prospects for joint initiatives as regards the exploitation of [energy] resources etc.? Or such a discussion would be outdated?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Greece has secured unprecedented energy autonomy and has evolved into a hub that significantly contributes to Europe's energy diversification and independence. An indicative result of this policy is that last May we secured 50% of our energy needs from renewable energy sources, which is a huge step towards our country's independence from fossil fuels. We will continue to move forward on our own strength, with a focus on our country's energy autonomy.
JOURNALIST: How could the US guarantee Greece’s security? Would that involve gaining a qualitative advantage in the equipment it gets from the US compared to Türkiye, receiving free military assistance, or securing guarantees that there will be no overflights?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Greek-US relations are at an all-time high. On the basis of the renewed Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, which substantially upgraded Greece's strategic standing, we have developed strong defense cooperation and deepened our political dialogue. In the context of this cooperation, it is certain and expected that our defense systems will be further upgraded by the United States. As far as Congress is concerned, it has already made it clear that defense equipment sales must take into consideration stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and specifically the non-utilization of defense equipment against NATO allies.
JOURNALIST: What exactly is the moratorium that seems to be in place in the Aegean? Is it overflights, avoiding military exercises in certain areas? - and will it be maintained?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The atmosphere of calm that has prevailed in the Aegean has two objectives. On the one hand, to limit potential risks from any operational activities. On the other hand, to have a permanent mechanism of direct communication for de-escalation when crises arise on the ground. It is, I believe, the common will of both sides to maintain these conditions.
JOURNALIST: You are a lawyer with experience in international negotiations. Having seen the relevant dossiers, do you believe that there is a just and viable solution to the Greek-Turkish issues? Is it politically feasible?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Coming from the fields of law and academic rationalism, my aim is to continue a foreign policy of principles and rules. When Ι enter a discussion, I respect and listen to the positions of all states, but it is my conviction that we cannot depart from the well-established principles of International Law, primarily the principles of the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and sovereign rights and adherence to universal human rights. I would not wish to prejudge the outcome of the attempt to relaunch the Greek-Turkish talks. But it is worth building upon the positive climate of recent months and the joint statement by the leaders of the two countries following their recent meeting. In other words, to move forward with a more political process of re-engagement, under the supervision and responsibility of the two Foreign Ministers. This process will include three pillars: political dialogue, a positive agenda for cooperation in specific fields and Confidence Building Measures. Important milestones of this roadmap will be the hosting of the 4th High Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Türkiye in Thessaloniki later this year and my regular contacts with my Turkish counterpart. In this regard, the two leaders may also meet in the framework of the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York next September.
JOURNALIST: There’s a conviction established that Greek-Turkish relations are a zero-sum game. Can they turn into a win-win situation?
G. GERAPETRITIS: In foreign relations there is no room for oversimplification. Russia's recent unprovoked invasion of Ukraine demonstrated that there are considerably fewer certainties and constants in international relations than we believe. Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, it is certain that maintaining a climate of calm and avoidance of tensions is by itself, a mutually beneficial situation, a great achievement. The climate of confrontation that prevailed for a long time in the past was extremely detrimental both for the two countries and for regional stability. It is the duty of Greece's and Türkiye's Foreign Ministers to explore the possibilities of consolidating and developing this positive climate, promoting the road map, and, more broadly, developing multi-level bilateral cooperation relations. Good relations will pave the way for meaningful discussions. We are not there yet, but with a strong political mandate and our considerable capital on the international stage I believe the moment has come to face the wounds of the past and the challenges of the future. A bold agenda, a legacy for future generations.
JOURNALIST: There is a lot of talk about the Cyprus issue. Do you think that there is room for the beginning of a process?
G. GERAPETRITIS: For Greece, finding a just, viable, functional, and mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue is a top foreign policy priority. We support the creation of the conditions for the settlement of the Cyprus issue, we firmly support a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions and the European acquis and we do not accept any discussion of a two-state solution. A few days ago, I had the great honour of being in Cyprus, carrying out my first visit since assuming the duties of Minister of Foreign Affairs. I was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus and met with my counterpart with whom I have an excellent cooperation. It is our common understanding that the European position, as set out in the conclusions of the last European Council, expressing the Union's readiness to play an active role of support at all stages of the process under the United Nations, opens an important window of opportunity.
JOURNALIST: You are not a professional politician, but you have been at the centre of implementing important policies. What was the most challenging moment you faced in the Maximos Mansion over the past years?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Without a second thought, it was the handling of the consequences of the railway accident that occurred in Tempi. Because this management was not purely administrative or political; it was primarily emotional. It was an unprecedented national tragedy, which scarred us all due to the unjustified loss of a large number of our fellow human beings, especially young people. Catharsis was required to alleviate the sorrow and heartbreak felt by the victims' families, as well as by all of us. We worked hard in this direction, investigating the causes of the accident without any discount and in depth and trying to resolve the problems that led to it. The case is being rapidly investigated by the judiciary, while the railway safety upgrade projects are being completed.
JOURNALIST: Has the time finally come for some changes - institutional or administrative - in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will render the Service more efficient but also more active?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The extremely complex task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can only be achieved if we rely on its greatest asset, its human resources. Our staff is characterized by an excellent level of training and experience and a high sense of responsibility. But if they are to be able to perform to their full potential and meet the increased demands of modern diplomacy, we should provide them with the necessary tools: increasing the budget, modernizing administrative structures and procedures, digital upgrading, investing in education, lifelong learning and cultivating new skills are just some of them. I intend to work systematically to secure them. We are joining forces and using all our staff to achieve the best results in our foreign policy.
JOURNALIST: Greece aspires to play a role in the Western Balkans. Is there a specific plan for this?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Greece already plays an important role in the Western Balkans. A recent date, June 21st, marked the 20th anniversary of the historic Thessaloniki Declaration, which explicitly stated that the Balkans' future lies within the European Union.
Our country remains firmly committed to the growth, security, prosperity and European course of the Western Balkans, as their integration and European perspective are essential for the security and in the full interest of the Union itself. We also firmly support Serbia’s and Montenegro's European course, and we support the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the efforts of the Union's Special Representative in this direction. We are equally firm in our will for the accession of North Macedonia to the EU, in the context of the consistent and bona fide implementation of the Prespa Agreement.
As regards Albania, it is obvious that its European course is directly linked to the need to comply with the fundamental principles of the Rule of Law. For us, the case of the arrest and detention of Fredi Beleri represents not only a thorn in our bilateral relations but also a test of the Rule of Law in the neighbouring country.
July 16, 2023