Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ interview with “Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis” newspaper and journalist Katerina Tsamouri – highlights (09.04.2023)

JOURNALIST: How long do you believe the Turkish shift will last? Do the Turks seek a quid pro quo from the Europeans and the Americans? For example, to obtain the F-16s…

N. DENDIAS: The devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey on February 6th, as well as my visit to Antakya, have shaped a new landscape in Greek-Turkish relations. Turkey demonstrates a significantly different behaviour following our concrete expression of solidarity with the Turkish people. The main features of this behaviour include a decrease, in what was until recently a particularly intense Turkish rhetoric and the absence of unlawful conduct in the Aegean.

Ι cannot know how long the very good climate will last, but I hope it will be maintained. The qualitative characteristics of this period are also of interest to us. Will Turkey be ready to engage in a sincere and constructive dialogue on the basis of International Law and the International Law of the Sea?

This requires a political decision and a high-level choice. It is of particular importance that this different Turkish stance becomes a long-lasting central political decision. You mentioned the F-16s. This is an issue on which many views have been expressed by the US leadership… In any case, the sale or non-sale of the aircraft is a bilateral matter between the United States and Turkey.

JOURNALIST: You agreed with Mevlut Cavusoglu that they would support our candidacy for the Security Council, and we would support their candidacy for the International Maritime Organization. What do you say to those who claim that Greece assists Turkey in becoming a “traffic policeman” at sea while ignoring UNCLOS and dreaming of the Blue Homeland?  Is it possible that the risk outweighs the benefit?  

N. DENDIAS: Turkey’s choice to support Greece for the Security Council has a huge symbolism as the Council is the custodian of the United Nations Charter and International Law, including UNCLOS. On the other hand, the IMO is a specialized United Nations Organization, whose primary mission is the safety and security of international shipping.

The Greek support for the Turkish candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the IMO concerns an office in an organization in which Greece plays a leading role (Category A).

JOURNALIST: Was there, after all, a “problem” with Cyprus? Because the Cypriots, apart from declaring that they will not support the Turkish candidacy, announced their own candidacy (for another post, of course), and demonstrated a bitterness towards Greece. Did you perceive it?

N. DENDIAS: Ms. Tasmouri, this development reflects the current improvement in the climate in Greek-Turkish relations and can be assessed only as positive. Positive development for peace and security in the wider region as well as for the efforts to resume negotiations aimed at a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with Security Council resolutions and compatible with the European acquis. Cypriot officials have recently mentioned this undisputable fact.

Furthermore, relations between Athens and Nicosia continue to be excellent. In Cyprus, I briefed the President of the Republic of Cyprus and my friend, Nikos Christodoulides, as well as my Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos, on the Greek government’s decision to support the Cypriot candidacy for re-election in category C of the IMO Council. During the same visit, our shared national goal, that is the settlement of the Cyprus issue, was confirmed. For the Mitsotakis government, the Cyprus issue is a top national priority.

JOURNALIST: What was discussed about energy issues during the trilateral meeting with Cyprus and Israel? Is EastMed still just a diplomatic trump card? And how coincidental was it that 3 days later you met with the Foreign Minister from the Emirates – is an energy deal with the UAE imminent?

N. DENDIAS: The EastMed Gas Pipeline, and the strategic significance of the EuroAsia Interconnector between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel were discussed at the trilateral meeting with my counterparts from Cyprus and Israel.

These projects gain added practical and geostrategic value for the Eastern Mediterranean and the European Union, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need for energy decoupling and increased interconnection.

We also discussed the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. We are positive about the prospect of other countries, for example Turkey, participating, under the basic condition that they respect International Law and the International Law of the Sea.

During my meeting with my counterpart from the UAE, we discussed the development of regional initiatives, particularly in energy and renewable energy, as well as in the economy and security issues in general. A second informal meeting was held on my return from Brussels.  In the context of our active diplomacy in the region, I also expect my friend, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, arriving in Athens on Tuesday, April 11. We will have the opportunity to discuss regional and international issues. Our strategic relations with Egypt are constantly enhancing and, as you know, my meetings with my Egyptian counterpart are very frequent.

Greek foreign policy now plays an active role in developments in our wider region and participates in efforts to find solutions to issues of international concern. For example, on Friday, April 21, a meeting on Syria will be held in Greece for the first time, with the participation of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Mr Petersen (who will then travel to Damascus), and all EU Member States’ envoys for Syria.

JOURNALIST: Despite the “de-escalation,” Cavusoglu spoke on Monday about sharing the resources of Cyprus and East Mediterranean in general. Can exploratory talks or Confidence Building Measures be launched following such statements?

N. DENDIAS: Ms. Tsamouri, I am fully aware of the difficulties that exist in Greek-Turkish relations. At the same time, however, for the reasons I mentioned earlier, Turkish behaviour towards our country has changed. Bilateral communication has improved, violations in the Aegean have almost been eliminated, and the extreme aggressive rhetoric has not only faded, but has also been replaced by statements and gestures of de-escalation and cordiality. I should note that just this week, on the sidelines of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, I had a brief meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, while the Ministers of Defense, Immigration, and Asylum, Mr. Panagiotopoulos and Mr. Mitarachi, respectively visited the areas affected by the earthquake in Turkey. Therefore, a new atmosphere is taking shape. It is certainly too early to draw conclusions as to whether this atmosphere will be permanent or, even more so, whether it will lead to solutions. But, as a country that seeks dialogue and peaceful solutions based on International Law, we must seize every opportunity in this direction.