Statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, following his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov (Athens, 26 October 2020)

Today, I had the pleasure of welcoming to Athens one of the most prominent figures in international diplomacy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

Welcome to Athens, Minister, dear Sergey.

First of all, I would like to note that our meeting today was our third in less than a year. If nothing else, this shows the importance we attach to our relations.

Your presence in Athens today, Mr. Lavrov – after four years – reconfirms our two countries’ shared will to start a new chapter in our relations. I would also like to note that your visit is taking place at a time when the wider region is dealing with constant provocations due to the illegal conduct of our neighbour Turkey.

Our meeting today is the continuation of a constructive and sincere dialogue. And part of our regular communication on matters of mutual interest.

Our countries and peoples are linked by a long and strong friendship that is based on history, culture, religion, mutual respect, mutual understanding.

Allow me to underscore, Minister, that a prominent predecessor of yours and the most prominent native of Corfu, from where I hail – Ioannis Kapodistrias – was the first governor of Greece.

The relations between our countries go back centuries. They began before my country’s independence, and we do not forget that Russia played a catalytic role in Greece’s struggle for independence. We look forward to Russia’s being represented at the highest level at the events marking the 2021 bicentennial of the Greek revolution.

Greece will continue to be a reliable interlocutor for Russia.

During our talks today, we had the opportunity to consider the whole range of our bilateral relations and the potential for strengthening them. First of all, we stressed the importance of enhancing our bilateral political contacts. In this context, I highlighted that Greece, a member state of the European Union and NATO, wants to work to maintain and strengthen the channels of communication between these Organizations and Russia, through institutionalised structures.

Russia is and will remain an intrinsic part of the European security architecture, and at the same time it is a key international player.

On the bilateral level, we put particular emphasis on energy, economy and culture.

On energy issues, we look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial collaboration and we believe that there are opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy sources, where Greece has significant expertise.

We also looked at bilateral trade and the possibility of increasing investments. We also discussed the prospects for bolstering our cooperation in the tourism sector.

The joint memorandum on carrying out the Greek-Russian history year in 2021, which I just signed with Mr. Lavrov, is indicative of our shared will to take a step forward in the culture sector. We have much to gain by working together.

Mr. Lavrov and I also had the opportunity to discuss regional developments, and we will continue this discussion during our luncheon. Unfortunately, in all the cases we talked about, the common denominator is Turkey’s destabilising role. Its neo-Ottoman expansionist aims.

In this context, I noted to my colleague the issue of supply of military equipment for Turkey and the fact that this equipment is destabilising all of the countries in the region.

I was very interested to hear Mr. Lavrov’s analysis regarding Russia’s outlook on Syria and Libya. I expressed my concern at the very negative role Turkey is playing in Syria by undermining the successes against Daesh, and the fact that Turkey has become a travel agency for jihadists, who are being transported to various problem hotspots in the region.

I underscored that, with regard to Libya, Greece warmly welcomed the announcement of a permanent ceasefire between the opposing sides. But a condition for achieving this goal is for all of the sides to respect and implement all aspects of the Geneva agreement, including the withdrawal of foreign fighters from Libyan territory.

With regard to Nagorno-Karabakh, we discussed the international community’s efforts, with Russia playing a leading role in the efforts to achieve a ceasefire between the opposing sides. In this context, I briefed him on my recent visit to Yerevan.

I also noted the significant progress Greece has achieved in its bilateral relations with the countries of the Balkans. I briefed my colleague on the agreement reached with Albania on the resolution of the maritime zones issue at the International Court in The Hague. And I made special reference to our inalienable right to extend our territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, as provided for by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

We also talked about the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the Resolutions of the UN Security Council. As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia carries special weight. It firmly and consistently supports the relevant efforts that are made, a position that Greece appreciates very much.

Consequently, I expressed my satisfaction at the clear Russian position following the illegal opening of the Varosha beachfront by the occupying forces.

I briefed Mr. Lavrov in detail regarding the upsurge in Turkey’s provocative conduct in the Eastern Mediterranean. Just yesterday, Turkey announced, yet again, its intention to carry out illegal seismic surveys in areas of the Greek continental shelf. It is obvious that Turkey is investing in escalating the tension. It proves on a daily basis that, in addition to violating international legality, it is ignoring the calls of friends and partners, and that its words lack credibility.

I made it clear that Greece is prepared for all eventualities and that it has no choice but to fully defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights.

Finally, I underscored that we are always committed to constructive dialogue, but that, at the same time, there is no room for dialogue under pressure and threats.

Minister, thank you very much.

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JOURNALIST: Minister, in Parliament recently, you expressed the hope that, through Mr. Lavrov's visit to Athens, you would succeed in jumpstarting bilateral relations. How will you do this? And will this initiative on the part of Greece not draw a reaction from the other members of the European Union? Thank you very much.

N. DENDIAS:  Thank you very much for the question. First of all, I would like to say that Mr. Lavrov’s visit to Athens today marks the revitalization of Greek-Russian relations. This is our third meeting. There is a very interesting joint Greek-Russian agenda. A few months ago, via teleconference, a discussion took place between the co-chairs of the Interministerial Committee, with the Alternate Minister, Mr. Varvitsiotis, representing Greece. On a very wide range of issues: culture, energy, investments, tourism, understanding of the disruptive role of various countries – and one in particular – in the region. I think there is a good deal of ground for Greek-Russian relations.

With regard to the European Union, I don't think there is any problem. Beyond the European framework, or in tandem with the European framework, if not in support of the European framework, Greece has bilateral relations, just as other EU countries do. This different outlook of each country is what shapes the common European position in the end. And in any case, Greece has always maintained and continues to maintain that Russia is an intrinsic part of the European security architecture.