Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ interview with ethnos.gr and journalist Katerina Kokkaliari (07.11.2021)

“Greece is not afraid to discuss, but it is not afraid to respond either, if deemed necessary,” underlined Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in an interview with ethnos.gr and journalist Katerina Kokkaliari. In particular, he notes “it is not us who seek tension. But if anyone disputes our sovereign rights and our national sovereignty, they should know that they will get the appropriate response. We are prepared for everything”.

Regarding the ongoing Turkish provocation, Mr. Varvitsiotis pointed out that “Greece responds with its defensive shield. We have been shielding our country in terms of armaments, but also diplomatically, at European and international level, through an extensive and multifaceted network of alliances “.

The Alternate Minister also referred to the new situation that has emerged after the resignation of Z. Zaev from the post of Prime Minister of North Macedonia. “If there is a return to a nationalist rhetoric that will reverse the acquis of the Prespa Agreement, it will lead us to redefine our national position regarding our support to the enlargement process,” he pointed out. “Greece believes in the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkans. “For us, the geographical integration of the EU is a national policy,” Mr. Varvitsiotis said, adding that “the return of our neighbours to a Balkan nationalist past will only harm them”.

The Alternate Minister’s full interview is as follows:

JOURNALIST: The Turkish side, through inflammatory statements but also through specific course of action in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean, has been sustaining a tense climate lately. Under these circumstances, how optimistic are you about the course of the Greek-Turkish dialogue?

M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greece has demonstrated in practice that it seeks dialogue and cooperation with all states in the region, including Turkey. That is why it participates in exploratory talks. However, Turkey’s ongoing provocative conduct may not only undermine this process, but also pose a threat to peace and security in the wider region. Greece has made it clear that in order for a dialogue to be meaningful and honest, it should be based on respect for the rules of International Law and the Law of the Sea. Principles that Turkey with its behaviour seems to systematically challenge and violate. Greece is not afraid to discuss, but it is not afraid to respond if deemed necessary. We are not the ones seeking tension. But if anyone disputes our sovereign rights and our national sovereignty, let them know that they will get the appropriate response. We are prepared for everything.

JOURNALIST: In the face of the ongoing Turkish provocation, Greece responds with a series of defense agreements (for example with France and the USA). What will the government’s next steps be in this direction?

M. VARVITSIOTIS: It is obvious that Greece’s defense agreements with France and the USA have caused Turkey great irritation, which in combination with the internal situation in the neighbour country, has been exacerbated. Turkey is not an easy neighbour. It is an unpredictable neighbour. After all, every time Turkey is under internal pressure, it exports pressure on Greek-Turkish relations. Greece responds to the ongoing Turkish provocation with its defensive shield. We have been shielding our country in terms of armaments, but also diplomatically, at European and international level. Never before has Greece had such an extensive and multifaceted network of alliances in Europe, such as with the countries of the South within the framework of EUMed, with the USA but also with countries in the wider region – through bilateral agreements or trilateral and quadrilateral schemes- such as Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and most recently Saudi Arabia. This is a valuable asset of our foreign policy, which is constantly being upgraded.

JOURNALIST: In your speech in Parliament, you referred to the developments in North Macedonia, pointing out that the return to a nationalist rhetoric will lead to the redefinition of our national position concerning the enlargement process. Essentially, in case of non-compliance with the Prespa Agreement, should we expect a Greek veto on the accession process of North Macedonia to the EU?

M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greece believes in the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkans. For us, the geographical integration of the EU is a national policy. It was Greece that recently gave the countries of the region the opportunity to have their voice heard in Thessaloniki in the context of the Dialogue on the Future of Europe. At my invitation, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Western Balkan countries joined this conference. After Zaev’s resignation from the post of Prime Minister of North Macedonia, a new situation has obviously emerged. In my intervention in Parliament, a clear message was sent to our neighbours. If there is a return to a nationalist rhetoric that will reverse the acquis of the Prespa Agreement, it will lead us to redefine our national position regarding our support to the enlargement process. I also reminded that one of the unwavering conditions that have been set in the negotiating framework is the consistent and proper implementation of all the provisions of the Prespa Agreement. We do not play with words. We do not pursue a foreign policy for domestic consumption. We are not in the habit of addressing domestic and foreign audiences in a different way.  Greece does not get in the way of our neighbours’ European perspective. Greece has shown the way, it offers the European path. Their return to a Balkan nationalist past will only harm them.

JOURNALIST: A conference on Libya will be held in Paris, with the participation of Greece. What does the Greek side expect on this “front”, especially regarding the Turkish-Libyan memorandum?

M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greece, as a pillar of stability in the wider region, remains committed to the principles of respect for international law and good neighbourliness. At the same time, it looks forward to building relationships that will promote peaceful coexistence, development and cooperation and it works systematically to this end. After all, the major challenges of our time, such as the environment, climate change, energy efficiency, green growth, among others, require a common will and mainly joint actions to address them. Greece has the same expectation regarding Libya as well. We support Libya and we hope that this country, after all the suffering it has been through, will soon be able to make a fresh start, with the help of the international community and, of course, on the basis of international legality. In the context of this international legality, the “Turkish-Libyan Memorandum” has no place at all. It is illegal and invalid. We expect our friend Libya to realize this and act accordingly. As for the Paris Conference, to be held at the initiative of the President of France Emmanuel Macron, Cyprus will also be there. Having been in Nicosia last week to celebrate our National Holiday, I can assure you that Greece and Cyprus have a common front in the face of challenges. In the event that Turkey, if invited, does not participate in the Conference, arguing against the participation of Greece and Cyprus, the only thing that it will succeed will be its international isolation.

JOURNALIST: One of the most critical issues the government faces is the course of the pandemic. In case a negative record of infections is recorded in the period ahead, should we expect additional measures?

M. VARVITSIOTIS: The pandemic is not open to petty partisanship and should not be a subject of political exploitation. Those, especially from the main opposition party, who try to draw political benefits, undermine the national effort. We are interested in the lives of citizens. Every effort is made to reduce the effects of the pandemic but also to increase the percentage of those vaccinated. With the Prime Minister first, we send the message “get vaccinated” every day. Especially to those who insist on not getting vaccinated out of fear or doubt. Vaccination saves lives. Of course, there are those who stubbornly refuse to do so. As a government we have an obligation to protect all citizens. The measures taken are not of punitive nature, they are necessary for the collective good. When this ordeal ends, we should all be winners, no one should be left out.