Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statements following his meeting with Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau (Warsaw, 05.10.2022)

Dear Zbigniew,

It is a great pleasure to be in Warsaw today. We have met numerous times, mostly in Brussels.

However, this is the first bilateral meeting between the Foreign Ministers of our two countries in many years. Αnd I have to say, it was long overdue.

We share a lot of things, including history. Most people in Greece, of my generation, associate Poland with Krzysztof Warzycha, a famous striker of my team Panathinaikos and Józef Wandzik, the goalkeeper in the same period.

Less known, but much more important, is that 500 Poles fought as volunteers in the Greek War of Independence, 200 years ago, and we are grateful for their contribution. This is something that we can never forget.

And more recently, during World War II another Pole, who was also an athlete, Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz, played an important part in the Greek resistance against the Nazi occupation. He was executed in Athens in 1943 by the occupying forces, but his memory still lives, and an important stadium is named after him.

Today, we had a long discussion about forces of darkness that try to impose a new European order. Not based on common principles and values, such as International Law, but based on force and the threat of the use of force.

We discussed the on-going conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. A conflict that has taken a turn for the worse following the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian provinces by Russia.

Greece has condemned this act outrightly and has protested to the Russian side.

Our policy towards Ukraine is based on three principles: the fundamental principles of International Law, respect for the sovereignty and respect for the territorial integrity of all states, the prohibition of the use of force, the prohibition of the threat of use of force.

I am so glad that Poland is adamant about upholding these principles.

I would like to raise the issue of accountability for crimes committed. Before the war there was a substantial Greek Community in Ukraine. You referred to it, thank you so much for that. Mostly in places currently under Russian occupation, such as Mariupol and Zaporizhia. There is a need to ensure their well-being, as well as hold to account those responsible for possible war crimes.

Greece is ready and willing to take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as the preservation of the important cultural heritage of this country.

I visited Odessa twice in the last few months. A city closely associated with Greek history and Independence, and also closely associated with my home island of Corfu. The historic mayor of Odessa, Grigorios Maraslis, originated from Corfu.

We would like to help so as to ensure that the historic city centre of Odessa is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to create a cultural protection shield over it.

We look forward to working with Poland and other EU partners in order to pursue these objectives.

Allow me also to congratulate Poland on the successful holding of the OSCE Chairmanship in Office, under, if I may say so, but you know best, particularly challenging circumstances.

Today, I also had the opportunity to brief Zbigniew about the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Turkish involvement in Libya following the briefing I provided to EU colleagues and to Under Secretary Nuland in New York last September.

I outlined the escalation of provocative rhetoric by Turkey that is constantly reaching new heights. Sometimes on a personal level.

Let me be frank. We are not going to be deterred. But also we are not going to drag ourselves into a contest of words.

We have clearly stated that Greece stands ready to defend its territory, its sovereignty, its sovereign rights , its existence.

With all lawful means available.

We are content to see that the European Union, the US, Germany and our Egyptian friends have come out publicly to denounce Turkish practices.

They have underlined the obvious: that the current Tripoli administration has no mandate to sign international agreements.

Both the previous and the recent “Memorandum of Understanding” signed between the Government of Tripoli and Turkey are not only illegal, they are also null and void.

Today, we also discussed the issue of migration. In this respect, I condemned efforts to instrumentalise the plight of those seeking a better life. Both Poland and Greece have been victims of such "hybrid attacks". In order to address them successfully, solidarity among EU partners is the answer.

Last, but definitely not least, we discussed ways to enhance our bilateral relations, which are already at an excellent level. In this regard we addressed trade, investment, cooperation in the fields of tourism, renewable energy etc.

Dear Zbigniew,

As you can see, we have a lot of issues that we need to discuss further. Therefore, I would like to invite you, after you finish the OSCE Chairmanship, to pay us a visit to Greece. I am saying this because I know you like the country, I have seen you there privately. So it will be a pleasure to host you this time, not in Athens, but in Alexandroupolis, which will give us the opportunity to show you how Alexandroupolis is important for our NATO Alliance, the EU and Ukraine.

Thank you so much for your warm hospitality.

Question by journalist on German war reparations [inaudible]

N. DENDIAS: The only thing I can add to what Zbigniew just said is that for the Greek Government and the Greek society this issue remains open; and its resolution, which is primarily a matter of principle, I think will be beneficial for all the countries involved and the EU as such.