Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement following his meeting with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas (Athens, 25 August 2020)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement following his meeting with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas (Athens, 25 August 2020)I once again welcome my dear colleague, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas, to Athens.I had the opportunity to inform him, first of all, of the cancellation of this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair, where Germany would have been the honoured country. It is my hope that we will soon be extending a new invitation to the German side.

We also discussed the issue of Libya. Greece welcomed the recent ceasefire announcement from the very first moment as an important positive step towards a political solution through a process of national reconciliation.Greece remains ready to contribute in this direction and has repeatedly notified Germany to this effect. Moreover, Greece is already contributing to peace and stability in Libya through its major contribution to Operation Irini. Germany is also participating in Operation Irini with a state-of-the-art unit, the frigate ‘Hamburg’, which is an exceptionally important contribution. I reiterated to my German colleague that Greece would like to participate in the ongoing Berlin Process, and I requested his strong support.

Mainly, however, we had an honest and constructive discussion, as you might imagine, in view of the informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union. It will be held, as you are aware,  on Thursday and Friday in Berlin, where we will also be discussing the issue of Turkey’s conduct.  At this very moment, Turkey continues to act unlawfully, to escalate and to provoke, despite the urgings of its neighbours, partners and allies. It persists in its effort to create faits accomplis, despite the Greek side's restraint and prudence. And instead of de-escalation, we are witnessing new provocations.
We are witnessing an attempt to carry out expansionist plans against neighbours and allies. We are witnessing the expression of neo-Ottoman narratives, rash expansionism and control over the Mediterranean.
We are witnessing the ongoing undermining of the stability of the entire region, through blatant and absolutely condemnable violations of International Law, perpetrated, no less, against two Member States of the European Union, Greece and Cyprus.

However, permit me to clarify once again that persisting in unlawful activities does not produce legal effect. In fact, it does not lead anywhere. And it is clear that what is at stake in the eastern Mediterranean exceeds the boundaries of bilateral disputes. It concerns the entire European Union, the entire European family. It concerns the sovereign rights of the European Union. It concerns the energy security of the European Union. It concerns the security of the Mediterranean. It concerns the reliability of the Union and, therefore, there is no room for double standards.  I conveyed to my dear colleague the Greek Government’s certainty that, under the German Presidency, the European Union will continue to advocate, in all directions and in both its external and internal relations, the element that makes our Union the most attractive location in the world – the element that makes the Union a singular endeavour, the most ambitious endeavour in the service of humanity. And that element is none other than undeviating respect for the rule of law. Respect for the rules of International Law, for good neighbourly relations between states.
These are the key principles making up the very core of the European acquis. However, the European acquis does not exist by divine right, but must be strongly defended against the forces of authoritarianism, illegality, arrogance and regression. The European acquis must be defended, whether the challenge originates from Turkey or concerns Belarus.

We therefore look forward to its defense and to the High Representative, Mr Borrell, preparing and presenting the list of sanctions at the upcoming informal Gymnich meeting, as required.  These sanctions will make it clear that Turkey's ongoing illegal activities will lead to consequences if they continue. That Europe is ready and willing to defend its borders, both at sea and on land. That Europe is ready to defend its ideology, an ideology of legality, on which it is based and which it advocates.

And, on this occasion, I want to make myself clear, without bluster, which does not become us, without arrogance, which does not become us, and without threats, which we do not use: Greece will defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the name of the law. Greece will defend its national borders and European borders, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Europe. It cannot do otherwise, and for this reason I would ask that there be no misunderstanding. Many parties are recommending that we engage in dialogue.

But Greece has proven that it is and always will be ready for dialogue. However, there can be no dialogue under threats. There can be no dialogue under provocations and, ultimately, there can be no talk of dialogue, not just for Greece, but for any state, when its sovereignty and sovereign rights are being violated. The violation of law cannot serve and cannot be permitted to serve as the basis for dialogue. All that Turkey's ongoing confrontational conduct achieves is to categorically prove to the world that any references it makes to dialogue and international law are purely pretextual. A prerequisite for dialogue is a reliable interlocutor and a clear frame of reference, which is none other than the rules of international law.

I hope that this is understood by Ankara, which Heiko will be visiting next. As far as we are concerned, commitment to dialogue, always under the aforementioned conditions of International Law, is always welcome. In contrast, Turkey’s conduct and its unceasing threats are indicative of its misperception of humanity in the 21st century. Turkey insists on arrogant shows of force, when the rule is respect for international law and the rules of good neighbourly relations.

An example that does not involve Greece is its reaction to the normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. This reaction is yet another example of Turkey's discordance against the efforts made by countries in the region to promote stability, security, cooperation and dialogue.

Once again, dear Minister, dear Heiko, my warm thanks for your presence in Athens.

August 25, 2020