It is always a great pleasure to welcome my dear friend and colleague, Nikos Christodoulides, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.
We discussed about the latest developments in the region, in the context of our always very close coordination. Naturally, we looked in particular at Turkey’s violations of international legality in a space stretching from Iraq to Libya, destabilising our wider region.
But it is also important that we ascertained that a solid diplomatic front has been created, founded on international law.
The response from both the Republic of Cyprus and Greece is firmly committed to international law and, of course, the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Both the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and I have repeatedly stated what constitutes Greece’s red line.
Moreover, Greece and Cyprus are exerting soft power in the widest area we have ever addressed ourselves to: from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to the Sahel.
Greece and Cyprus, as EU member states whose sovereignty and sovereign rights are being contested by Turkey’s violations of international legality, have repeatedly raised the issue with our European family, which has repeatedly condemned Turkey’s conduct, has imposed sanctions and has asked Turkey to comply with the dictates of international law.
Turkey turns a deaf ear and continues its provocations. It has announced further surveys that, if carried out, will lead to serious problems in our region.
I want to be absolutely clear on this: if Turkey, even hypothetically, wants to transform Greece into an island in a Turkish lake or sea, it can forget it.
I repeat, it can forget it.
At the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, we will be looking closely at the issue of Turkey’s conduct.
Because Turkey’s aggressiveness is an affront to the founding principles of the European Union.
Only if Ankara comes to realize that illegal actions and aggressiveness have consequences will it be forced to alter its course.
Speaking for myself, I am an incurable optimist.
I hope that Turkey sees that opportunity for itself, for the prospects of Turkish society, for the Turkish economy, lies not in violations of international law, not in gunboat diplomacy, whether open or covert.
It lies in international law and a European future. Close to the European Union or in the European Union – if Turkey itself still wants this. Close to or in the European family.
Close to or in the most democratic and ambitious endeavour in the history of humanity.
Mr. Christodoulides and I also talked about the outlook for the Cyprus problem, which always remains the paramount national issue for Greece.
We are pursuing the reopening of the negotiations based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the European acquis, with elimination of the Guarantees and right of intervention, and of course the withdrawal of occupation forces.
We also looked at the progress and dynamic in the network of cooperation mechanisms we are developing in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region. Cooperation mechanisms that, by all accounts, are contributing to regional stability, promoting a positive agenda for growth and prosperity in our wider region.
In other words, in the region where Turkey’s actions are having a destabilising effect, Greece and Cyprus are working constructively.
And it is no coincidence that countries like the United States and France are showing strong interest in participating in these mechanisms in more and more sectors.
And I repeat, these cooperation mechanisms are not directed against anyone. No country is excluded. In fact, they are open to everyone who shares or is prepared or willing to share the same principles and values with us – namely, good neighbourly relations, respect for international law and the Law of the Sea.
Nikos, I welcome you again to the capital of Hellenism.
July 3, 2020