Dear Minister, thank you for your generous welcome to Prague.
Before proceeding, I must express on behalf of the Greek Government our strong condemnation of yesterday's appalling attack on the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. There is simply no room for violence in our societies. We wish him a very speedy recovery.
Dear Jan, I am pleased and honored to be here, in a country renowned for its rich history, its culture and civilization.
Our two countries work very closely as EU partners and NATO allies. We do share the same vision of a prosperous and peaceful Europe and have the same concerns regarding stability and security on our continent and beyond.
A few days ago, on May 9th, we celebrated Europe Day. Seventy-four years after the Schuman Declaration, establishing a new vision for a more robust and resilient Europe is of the utmost importance.
Undoubtedly, we live in harrowing times. Wars and crises are piling up. The dominant issues of every Foreign Affairs Council’s agenda are mainly the two deadly wars unfolding near our borders.
We are deeply concerned about the unlawful and unprovoked war of Russia in Ukraine. We are at a critical point. The Russian aggression not only poses a threat to European security but also jeopardizes global peace and stability.
Greece will continue its unwavering support for Ukraine. This position is based on our principled foreign policy. Revisionism has no place in our contemporary world and must not be tolerated.
I would like to seize this opportunity and commend Prague for its manifest commitment to supporting Ukraine in its just war against Russian aggression by creating and operating the fastest and most efficient system in Europe providing military assistance to Ukraine.
In this respect I would like to personally thank my dear colleague and friend Jan for his involvement in the project and his efficient term in office.
While the crisis in Ukraine undermines peace and stability in Europe, in parallel, the crisis in Gaza is spreading across the Middle East.
The principles of humanitarianism are currently seriously being tested, with tragic civilian casualties.
We have to do everything possible to halt hostilities immediately, increase humanitarian aid, and prevent a regional conflagration, which could exacerbate human suffering and fuel global economic turmoil and dramatic flows of refugees.
This is one more reason to address the common challenge of the migration and refugee crisis in Europe.
Dear representatives of the Press,
Our discussion also focused on the potential of our excellent bilateral relations. We agreed that there is always room for enhancement in the economic sector, investments, trade, and energy.
Greece works hard to promote the diversification of energy routes, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Therefore, our state of strategic infrastructure and interconnections of vertical gas corridors, the operation of the LNG Terminal on Revithoussa, and the new FSRU (LNG Floating Storage Regasification Unit) in Alexandroupolis are vital and necessary for enhancing energy security and autonomy.
At the same time, our two countries’ geostrategic position offers significant opportunities through joint ventures in the Balkans, Southeast Europe, the Black Sea, and the Arab World.
In this regard, we have mutually agreed to explore opportunities for closer collaboration on promoting projects of mutual interest within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative.
Not to mention the strong ties maintained between our peoples. As the Minister rightly said, Greece has become one of the most popular travel destinations for Czech citizens, who are most welcome in our country, and vice-versa Greeks visiting Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and worldwide.
Dear Minister,
Twenty years ago, we welcomed Czechia into the EU in our family’s biggest-ever enlargement. I am glad that both our countries share the view that the EU enlargement, with the integration of the Western Balkans, will benefit the stability and prosperity of our region.
Before I conclude, I cannot fail to mention Greece’s gratitude for the Czech Republic’s commitment to supporting Greece’s candidacy for an elected member seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. Czechia will have a friend in the Security Council.
We are eager to collaborate with you towards a better, safer, and more just world.
Dear Minister, dear Jan,
I would like to conclude with Franz Kafka “paths are made by walking”.
And we need to walk together in order to make paths for Europe and for future generations to be safer and stronger.
Thank you so much for your kind hospitality.
JOURNALIST: Regarding the recently passed EU pact on migration and asylum. How do you perceive the final document, especially the solidarity part, from your perspective? Is it sufficient?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Immigration is one of the serious challenges that we encounter here in Europe, in the European Union. I am very skeptical with the situation growing now in many corners around the world.
We do know that apart from the Middle East, apart from Ukraine, there is also Africa. And the situation in Africa is deteriorating rapidly. We do know that especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are a lot of people, millions of people who are now displaced or on the verge of starvation. We need to address the issue and we have to provide humanitarian aid in order for the people to stay at their homes.
The Migration Pact is a step forward for Europe, and I think it is important that we concluded this pact. Obviously, the challenges are very high, are too high, and we will need to absolutely think it over again and again. Because apparently the pact needs a lot of implementing acts, and it is of outmost importance that we are ready, and fully aware that all those implementing acts need to be made effectively, promptly, expediently. And this is why we need to work together. Obviously, this is not going to be a static pact. We need to revisit the situation from time to time, given the circumstances and the context where the migration is developed. It is a great first step for Europe, and we are very happy that we actually concluded this pact. And, yes, we need from time to time to actually think it over in order to address contemporary needs.
JOURNALIST: I think that both countries are in favour of the European perspective of the Western Balkans. So I would like from both of you, maybe an overview of the current situation in this region. And something more specific for you, Mr. Gerapetritis. We have a victory, as you know, in the recent elections in North Macedonia. We have the new President of the country, let’s say, refusing to stick to the Prespa Agreement. Do you believe that after the upcoming European elections, it would be possible for North Macedonia to start negotiations in order to join the European Union?
G. GERAPETRITIS: When it comes to the EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans, we are very like-minded with the Czech Republic. We are in principle in favour of the enlargement. We consider that the natural path for the Western Balkan states is the European family. I think that it's going to be for the benefit of the European Union as well. It is going to revitalize the European project, and it is always good to send good signals to the people of Europe for their future.
Having said that, obviously, all member states will be eventually judged on the basics. They have to respect the benchmark set out for its country, and of course, the EU acquis. When it comes to North Macedonia, we do know that one of the preconditions in order to develop the pre-accession process is for the government of North Macedonia to fully abide by the Prespa Agreement, which indicates exactly the constitutional name of the country. It is by all means the will of the Greek government to keep on implementing the Agreement. However, we have to be very aware of the fact that there can be no concession when it comes to the actual implementation of international agreements, which by definition, by constitution, supersede ordinary laws.
There is no room for any concession. Greece will strictly follow the situation in North Macedonia. We actually request the government and the President of North Macedonia to fully implement the Prespa Agreement. And we are very keen to actually discuss further. But as I said, concessions on the basics cannot be tolerated.
May 16, 2024