JOURNALIST: Mr. George Gerapetritis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is on the line with us. Good morning and thank you for joining us.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Good morning! I wish you another successful season ahead with your show.
JOURNALIST: Thank you, Minister. With your assistance, it will indeed be better, especially if you could join us frequently on “Bras-de-fer”. Progress on national issues would also enhance our prospects, not just for the show, but for the country.
G. GERAPETRITIS: God helps those who help themselves. We all need to contribute to the country's progress.
JOURNALIST: Minister, let us start with New York. The highlight we are all anticipating is the meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Tayyip Erdogan. Are we certain this meeting is confirmed, and can you provide any further details about the date?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The meeting has been scheduled and it will take place. The exact date has not yet been determined, because it depends on other events happening during that crucial week in New York. We are waiting to see when there will be a slot available for both leaders to meet. But the meeting will take place, it has already been planned.
JOURNALIST: Will it be a substantive or just a courtesy meeting?
G. GERAPETRITIS: No meeting takes place merely out of courtesy. Meetings between two leaders always carry significant importance. Where does this significance lie? It lies in reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, to reviewing the progress made so far, and planning future steps. If you ask me if we will get anything spectacular out of this meeting...
JOURNALIST: Or substantial. Let it not be spectacular, just substantive compared to previous meetings.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I would like to tell you the following two things. First, it is not necessary that these meetings produce something grand, spectacular, or substantially new. Why? Because our goal is to normalize relations with Türkiye. That is, to reach a level where these meetings are not major news, as would be the case if, for example, the Prime Minister were meeting with the President of another country, like the Prime Minister of Italy or the President of France.
JOURNALIST: As he heads to Austria today, let’s say. However, Minister, when we have incidents like those at Kasos, a meeting cannot be...
G. GERAPETRITIS: What are the incidents at Kasos, Ms. Korai?
JOURNALIST: Wasn’t there an incident? Was there not a problem for us? All that reaction from the Turkish side?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Let me tell you. I have stated this repeatedly, I have addressed it in Parliament, and I have explained it. I will say it again because it is important for Greek citizens to know the real facts and not be swayed by those who systematically use national issues to derive personal benefits. The actual facts are as follows. There is an electrical interconnection project between Greece and Cyprus. This is a project of common interest to the European Union. Thus, it is supported by the European Union, which partially funds the project. This project is extremely important, especially for Cyprus, as it ends its energy isolation. What is it about? This cable will pass through the territorial waters of Greece and Cyprus and also through international waters in the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone. When it was planned to exit Greek territorial waters, in the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone, Türkiye, which raises claims on the basis of the illegal and null and void Turkish-Libyan memorandum, dispatched warships, which were stationed at a distance and monitored the situation.
What did we have in this case? We had the following. Within 24 hours, the Turkish ships withdrew. No Turkish claim was recognized. There was no recognition of them. No permission was given by Türkiye, nor could it have been requested by the Greek side.
JOURNALIST: Yes, but it is said that the Italian research vessel withdrew before the Turkish warships...
G. GERAPETRITIS: The answer is very clear. I do not know where you got this information.
JOURNALIST: It has been written. I didn't get it.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Look, let me tell you something. I am very sorry, but the reality is that those who write, write with great ease about national issues. We should all exercise greater prudence and reflection on national issues. The company itself, Mr. Takis, when the matter concluded, that is, when the survey was completed, issued a statement indicating that the survey was completed absolutely, 100% according to the plan as set. So here, Mr. Takis, we have the specific facts. No Turkish claim was recognized. The Turkish ships withdrew. The survey was conducted 100% according to plan.
JOURNALIST: And it proceeds normally.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It proceeds normally according to the company's plan. I want to tell you the following. Look at how facts get distorted. While we had a situation where Turkish warships indeed arrived and then withdrew, no permission was granted by Türkiye, nor was any requested by the Greek side, and the site survey was completed. There is, however, absolute distortion related to the supposed recognition of claims. That’s false. Allegedly, there was a crisis. That is also false. Allegedly, the survey was not completed. False. Therefore, Greek citizens in this case must know the facts. And the facts are that at this moment the survey is being conducted normally, according to the plan. There was absolutely no retreat. Obviously, the fact that there is a channel of communication with Türkiye helps. And I want to close by saying the following, which is very important for Greek citizens to know. We must point out that, according to International Law, the laying of cables and the survey for electrical interconnection, the laying of electrical cable on the surface is absolutely protected. No one can impede this process, because it is considered that this type of electrical wiring is necessary to provide essential services to citizens. Therefore, it cannot be hindered. It is absolutely protected by International Law. And the European Union, which you know does not spend recklessly, decided to proceed with funding this project after weighing all the relevant issues and its legality.
JOURNALIST: Fine. Minister, I would like to return to New York and ask you: what are we expecting? Is there a chance that the two leaders will set a new roadmap? To discuss, let’s say, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
G. GERAPETRITIS: A new roadmap will certainly be established. It is evident that we are entering a new phase, a new season starting from September. There is also an upcoming High-Level Council, which will follow up on the Council that took place last December in Athens.
JOURNALIST: I assume the next High-Level Council will take place in Türkiye?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Yes, it will be held in Türkiye, as there is a rotation of the location. As for what this roadmap will include: at a minimum, it will obviously cover the next steps of political dialogue, meaning the discussions conducted at all levels regarding migration, civil protection, and so on. It will also include the next steps of the positive agenda, meaning new agreements in various sectors like business, markets, tourism collaborations, etc., as well as Confidence-Building Measures. Whether there will be anything further, such as an upgrade in the dialogue, this will be decided by the leaders themselves, and we have not yet set the agenda for that.
JOURNALIST: I see. And I assume that if this is included, you, the two Foreign Ministers, will be tasked with exploring whether there is room for an agreement on the delimitation [of the EEZ].
G. GERAPETRITIS: You realize, Ms. Korai, that this is at the leaders’ discretion. Obviously, the entire Greek-Turkish dialogue is under constant supervision by the Foreign Ministers. We are accountable to the leaders, and they approve actions at the highest political level. So, we bear the responsibility and accountability.
JOURNALIST: I see. Minister, we saw that Mr. Fidan, with whom you have good relations, visited North Macedonia, referring to it as “Macedonia” at one point, then using “North” again later. We also saw how President al-Sisi was welcomed in Türkiye, even though until recently President Erdogan had been quite critical of him. Could it be that they are moving faster than us? This is something even MPs from New Democracy have raised.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I have not heard anything of the sort, to be honest, but I trust your information. Let me tell you, though, that what you are suggesting is not at all the case. I will address each point individually, and I will give you an overall assessment of Greece’s foreign policy. Regarding the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to North Macedonia, it was a regular visit. If you look closely at the statements, there were several references to the constitutional name of North Macedonia. Indeed, at one point he referred to “Macedonia.” I will not make any assessment of this. Regarding the relationship between Egypt and Türkiye, I would ask you to closely examine the text of their joint declaration. You will see that it does not in any way threaten Greek interests. Furthermore, let me tell you this: as Greece, we want all neighbors and all states to maintain good relations with other countries. We want international peace, prosperity, and strong geopolitical relationships so that we can engage in dialogue. However, having said that, specifically in the case of Egypt, let me add something more. A strategic relationship within a broader region can only be formed with one partner. And when it comes to Egypt, that strategic partner is Greece. I can absolutely assure you that the Greek-Egyptian relationship is deeply rooted. I am in regular communication with the Egyptian Foreign Minister. I have repeatedly met with the President of Egypt. In the near future, we will have further meetings and discussions that will elevate our relationship. So, I have no concerns whatsoever. As for our overall foreign policy - because you mentioned whether they are moving faster than we are…
JOURNALIST: Yes, because for instance, at the Thessaloniki International Fair, the two former Prime Ministers were absent once again. And from what I have heard nothing has changed on Mr. Samaras' side - he hasn’t seen any shift in strategy. You already know the stance he took on the…
G. GERAPETRITIS: Just a moment. If I understand your question correctly, you are asking whether Greece holds strong international capital. You are not asking about domestic matters. However, I can answer both questions. As for the country's international standing, let me say Ms. Korai, that it is at the highest point it has ever reached since the post-dictatorship era. And I will support this claim with clear, specific evidence. Greece is currently a reliable interlocutor to all sides. At this moment, think about how many countries can simultaneously engage in discussions with both the Arab world and Israel at the level we do. Let us also consider what is happening within the European Union and the weight Greece carries. Let us see which country, with an overwhelming majority of United Nations member states, will hold a seat on the United Nations Security Council in the next two years. In 2025 and 2026, Greece will co-shape the global security architecture, by being in New York and setting, alongside 14 other nations, policies on all major issues. We are the ones taking the initiatives in the European Union. So, allow me to say that Greece's international relations are currently at a very high level, and the country is making phenomenal progress.
JOURNALIST: Do you think you will be able to make this - how should I put it - resonate with the former Prime Ministers who do not share this view on how the Greek government is handling foreign affairs? From “we don’t discuss with pirates” to... well, you’ve heard it, I don’t need to repeat it, you know it.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I want to say the following. First of all, I absolutely respect the judgment and discernment of the former Prime Ministers. It is clear that they have a specific perspective on foreign affairs. Their historical trajectory is well-defined. One can refer to the foreign policy of their respective periods. What I would like to emphasize is the following. Right now, Greece’s policy - which I want to remind you has been approved by a strong majority of the Greek people - is to continuously build a significant diplomatic capital. This diplomatic capital has not been acquired separately. It has been achieved because we have a strong economy, a robust national defense, and an influential voice in diplomacy. On the other hand, let me also say this. Despite any complaints I might hear, I believe the Greek people want a firm, prudent, and proud foreign policy, without making any concessions -which have not been made. A foreign policy that allows us to engage with everyone, even with neighbors with whom we have historical differences. Let me turn the question around. If Greece, with its strong international capital, thriving economy, and significantly bolstered national defense, does not seize the opportunity to engage in discussions today, then when?
JOURNALIST: I see. One last question from me. I would like to return to the issue of the cable, which is making headlines in two newspapers today.
'Kathimerini' reports an extension of the thriller, as yesterday's attempt at an agreement between Athens and Nicosia was unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the “Estia” newspaper questions whether the cable project is still up in the air, wondering if Athens and Nicosia will eventually give in to Ankara’s demands. I want you to clarify: Will this cable case come to an end, or will it continue to be a thriller?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Look, the concept of a thriller does not exist in foreign policy.
JOURNALIST: “Kathimerini” is writing it, not me.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I would like to point out that if we turn foreign policy issues into a thriller, then we are doing something wrong. Foreign policy is not an exercise of that kind. Foreign policy is an exercise in contingencies. So, we are working on all possible scenarios. Let me be clear about the cable. This cable project has a very specific focus. It is an electrical interconnection that primarily serves Cyprus. Why is that? Because it ends its energy isolation.
JOURNALIST: Yes, you mentioned that earlier.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It will undoubtedly reduce electricity prices in Cyprus, which are currently at extremely high levels - among the highest in the EU. This is a crucial geopolitical project. Greece fully supports this project and is committed to ensuring its completion. After all, a Greek company is the contractor responsible for it. We do not see any risk of the project being canceled. The suggestion that we will yield to the Turks is an incredible exaggeration and has no basis in reality. There has been no obstruction to conducting a survey in the Exclusive Economic Zone where Türkiye raises claims, and for this reason, Greece firmly believes that the project will proceed as planned.
JOURNALIST: Thank you very much, Minister.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It was a great pleasure and honor for me. Thank you.
JOURNALIST: All the best. It was our honor. Thank you very much!
September 11, 2024