Statements by Minister of Foreign Affairs N. Dendias following his meeting with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha González Laya (Athens, 28 July 2020)

N. DENDIAS: It is my distinct pleasure to welcome the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, to Athens today.

When I visited Madrid in February, the first thing we agreed on was to meet more regularly.

Of course, five months later, the world is no longer the same.

We faced the well-known pandemic and, as you may recall, during the dark days of April, we held a small ceremony here at the Ministry to express our support and solidarity towards our Spanish friends.

In the same spirit, today I conveyed to my friend, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the decision of the Greek Government to proceed with a symbolic donation of a monetary amount to Spain in order to combat the coronavirus, to be donated in accordance with the instructions of the Spanish Government.

Today we also discussed current issues of the European Union, such as the recent decision of the Council to aid the national economies that were and remain adversely affected by the epidemic.

We discussed issues concerning our sea, the Mediterranean, which brings us closer to one another.

We also touched upon the migration issue and agreed to coordinate our actions in the context of a new agreement on Asylum and Migration. This is a major concern for us, the countries on the front line, that requires our full attention and very good coordination.

We discussed the situation in Libya and the need to see the European Union play an active part.

We discussed the continuous violations of the arms embargo, which have led to qualitative escalation of hostilities.

It is very important, as noted by the High Representative, Mr Borrell, that we all support Operation IRINI in deed. The Operation will be successful if the embargo is enforced, i.e. if the influx of arms and Jihadist fighters into Libya is stopped. This is an important step towards achieving peace in this country.

A failure in Libya, that is, Libya becoming a “failed state”, would be a tremendous problem for the European Union, cutting into its soft underbelly.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you are well aware, my colleague came to Athens today from Turkey, where she attended talks with our Turkish counterpart yesterday.

First and foremost, let me be clear. I will not be using this meeting to join the Turkish side in slinging insults against a nation.

We respect the Turkish nation, as we respect all nations across the globe. However, we unequivocally condemn the policies of the Turkish Government, as does all of Europe — a Europe that speechlessly bore witness to a religious functionary with a neo-Ottoman sword in hand recapturing the Hagia Sophia, a museum, which was established by the founder of modern Turkey himself.

Turkey is thus violating a modern symbol of cross-cultural dialogue in order to convert it, needlessly, into a mosque, giving the impression that it is returning to the 15th or 16th century.

Europe condemns not only the neo-expansionist policies of Turkey against all its neighbours, but also all actions that undermine peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean.

We, Greece and Spain, lie at each end of the Mediterranean, but our perspective is similar: one of respect for international rules, respect for good neighbourly relations, and readiness to resolve our differences through dialogue and in good faith.

Because all the foregoing are part of the European acquis.

And I must repeat this point: Greece is always ready for dialogue with Turkey — however, not dialogue under threats, under insults, under an attempt to create faits accomplis.

During our most recent Council, we Ministers of Foreign Affairs requested that the European Union services draft an options paper that will include strict sanctions if Turkey persists in its conduct, which is illegal and endangers peace and stability in the region.

This is an option that must remain on the European table, precisely with the hope that it need never be used.

However, if Turkey chooses to ignore the rules of International Law, it must become acutely aware of its limits, and Europe must remain united in the face of violations of its sovereignty and sovereign rights, the violation of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of any EU Member State, such as Greece and Cyprus, in the face of threats to peace in 21st-century Europe. Because, ultimately, ladies and gentlemen, this is precisely why the European Union was created: to safeguard peace in Europe — and safeguarding peace for three quarters of a century, for over 75 years, is the greatest historical achievement of the European Union.

We will not cease calling upon Turkey and Turkish society to join this achievement, leaving behind Ottoman swords and neo-Ottoman ravings.

Dear Arancha, welcome to Athens.

JOURNALIST: I would like to address one question to each Minister, starting with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs. I would like to ask what you took away from yesterday's meetings and contacts in Turkey regarding its provocations in the eastern Mediterranean. Does Turkey comprehend the need for respect of International Law and the consequences non-compliance entails?

Also, if I may, a second part to this question: how would you comment on the reaction of your Turkish counterpart to the statement that the Hagia Sophia is a common house for cultures and religions?

And I would ask Mr Dendias if he would care to remark on today's announcement by Turkey to freeze exploratory operations. Thank you.

[…]

N. DENDIAS: Thank you for question. Let me be honest with you. The statement by the Presidential Spokesperson of Turkey is a positive development, in our view. The Greek Government has said, continues to say and will always declaim that a prerequisite for dialogue — as my Spanish colleague said earlier, if you noticed — is demonstrable de-escalation on the part of Turkey. There can be no talks when one side takes actions that contravene International Law and the Law of the Sea. Consequently, we consider it very important when this general, global view is understood by the Turkish side, as well. We believe that this is in the interest of both Turkey and Turkish society. However, as the word “dialogue” is burdened with connotation, however one perceives it, I wish to be absolutely clear on this point, too. We believe that our dispute with Turkey concerns the issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the maritime zone above it. That is our dispute with our neighbouring country, Turkey.

Thank you very much.