Written statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, following the trilateral videoconference with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Jordan (3 June 2020)

In today's videoconference with my colleagues from Cyprus and Jordan, we had the opportunity to take an in-depth look at our relations between and to carry out a detailed analysis of the situation in our shared neighbourhood, the Eastern Mediterranean.

Regarding our trilateral cooperation, we focused on ways to deepen it both politically and economically, for the benefit of all three countries. In this context, I announced Greece's intention to present a proposal for enhancing our cooperation in the sector of SMEs and start-ups. We also talked about the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat for the trilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, we talked in depth about the moves made by Turkey, which, through its increasingly provocative rhetoric and conduct, is having a destabilising effect on the whole region. In this context, I briefed my interlocutors on Turkey’s recent illegal and provocative actions against Greece on our air, sea and land borders, as well as its effort to usurp Greece’s sovereign rights through the null and void “memoranda of understanding” with Mr. Sarraj, and the recent publication in Turkey’s Government Gazette of the applications of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to carry out surveys in areas of the Greek continental shelf.

We also talked about the political developments in Libya and the efforts to achieve a ceasefire between the two sides, in order to open the way to a political solution. I reiterated Greece’s support for operation “IRINI” for implementation of the arms embargo and for the mediating efforts of the UN.

We also considered the situation in Syria, ahead of the donors conference on 30 June. I reiterated Greece’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy towards the reaching of a political solution. In addition, we discussed the course of the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq.

Finally, we looked at the level of EU-Jordan relations, and I expressed Greece's support for deepening and expanding these relations.

We agreed to hold the next trilateral meeting in Athens.