Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ interview with “Parapolitika” newspaper and journalist Kostas Papachlimintzos – main points (04.03.2023)

JOPURNALIST: Minister, I would like to start with your comment on the national tragedy we experienced in Tempi. There is much sorrow and many unanswered questions.

N. DENDIAS: This is a tragedy that causes inexpressible sadness, all the more so when many of the victims were young people who died in such an untimely manner. As a coordinated State, we ought to investigate the causes, attribute accountability, where it exists, but also ensure that nothing goes unanswered. As a political system, as a whole, we have to deal with the safety and development of the railways in Greece as well as what is to blame over time, regarding their lagging behind as a means of transport, compared to other EU countries, despite the significant infrastructure projects of recent decades. We should not forget that the railway is clearly a more ecological means of transport, with a smaller environmental footprint.

JOURNALIST: Do you have any hope for the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations, and if so, on what basis? Has the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a six-point proposal, as Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated, and what is Greece’s response?

N. DENDIAS: Following the February 6, earthquakes, an encouraging perspective has been recorded, which was also reflected during my visit there in the statement of my counterpart, my friend Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who expressed the hope that an attempt would be made to settle the differences through dialogue.

The climate of solidarity that has been created and also confirmed by Türkiye’s support for our country following the tragic accident in Tempi could favour the rapprochement of the two societies. It is possible that the momentum that has now been created will allow us to consider the possibility of resuming exploratory contacts or talks on Confidence Building Measures.  For us, every move by Türkiye to normalize our relations and resolve our sole dispute (delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ), on the basis of International Law and the International Law of the Sea, is welcome. We have to work to maintain the good climate.

JOURNALIST: Is there any hope for peace on the horizon one year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how could that be achieved?

N. DENDIAS: A year ago, Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine. For a year now, we have been witnessing an unspeakable disaster at the expense of an independent state.

At the same time, we are in front of the harsh realisation of the extent to which the world and the geopolitical environment have changed as a result of war and the disruption of the rules-based international order.

Of course, the first thing we want is for the war to end immediately, completely and unconditionally, in order for a dialogue to begin.  A dialogue, however, based on the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and International Law. But, until then, we will stand along with our partners, by the Ukrainian people, whom we will continue to support with all our might in solidarity with their struggle.

Allow me, however, to reiterate once again that this principled stance of ours, which is entirely based on International Law, is not directed against the Russian people, with whom we share historical ties.

JOURNALIST: Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Athens confirmed the high level of Greece-US relations. What are the concrete benefits for our country, both in the immediate and in the long term?

N. DENDIAS: Regarding the results of Antony Blinken’s official visit, official announcements are sufficient to understand that these benefits are many, significant and long-lasting.

The Joint Statement highlighted, inter alia, the importance of respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights and International Law, including the Law of the Sea, as well as the peaceful settlement of maritime and other differences through diplomatic channels.

We reaffirmed our mutual resolve to uphold the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Furthermore, issues including Greek-US relations, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and Greek-Turkish relations, energy, and our country’s role as a factor of energy security in Southeastern Europe were discussed. We reaffirmed our intention to further deepen bilateral strategic cooperation, the cornerstone of which is the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), and the need for Sweden and Finland to join NATO, which our country has supported from the very first moment.

Not only was the excellent climate in Athens-Washington relations confirmed, but also the further strengthening of the geostrategic footprint of the country, which is considered by the US as one of the most reliable allies in a critical region of the world.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the US Secretary of State for expressing his support to the Greek people in our grief over the tragic accident in Tempi.

JOURNALIST: There is now a new state and political leadership in Cyprus. Will the dialogue for the reunification of the island be re-launched and if so on what terms?

N. DENDIAS: The Greek government’s consistent position is to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue. A solution based on the UN Security Council Resolutions. A solution compatible with the European acquis. That is, a bicommunal, bizonal federation. In this context, the resolution of the Cyprus issue is the highest priority of Greek foreign policy. For us, the present state of play cannot be the solution to the Cyprus issue. Cyprus cannot be the last divided state of the EU.

In this regard, we look forward with great pleasure to the first official visit of both the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and my counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, to Athens.  For Greece, cooperation, consensus, and coordination with Cyprus have been, are and will continue to be a top national priority.

JOURNALIST: Many major energy projects have been planned in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the East Med pipeline and undersea cables. How many, and which ones can move forward and with what added value for our country?

N. DENDIAS: It is true that in recent years our country has been working systematically to make the best use of its comparative advantages – geographic, political, economic – with the aim of being turned into a regional energy hub in a wider region, starting from the Eastern Mediterranean and reaching Southeastern Europe.

We have been implementing this objective through a network of strategic infrastructures, often in cooperation with other countries in the region, always on the basis of the principles of International Law.

Thus, in addition to existing infrastructures such as Revithoussa and the TAP pipeline, more projects are now being added, namely the Alexandroupolis FSRU Terminal with the participation of our neighbouring countries, including Bulgaria, Serbia and North Macedonia, the interconnecting pipelines with Bulgaria and North Macedonia, East-Med, the Euro-Asia Interconnector (Greece-Cyprus-Israel) and the Euro-Africa Interconnector (Greece-Egypt), the Alexandroupolis-Burgas oil pipeline and other projects.

These projects will significantly boost our country’s development and significantly increase its geopolitical footprint, particularly in light of Europe’s urgent need for energy decoupling.

JOURNALIST: A long time has passed since October 2021, when the Greek-Albanian agreement to refer the issue of EEZ delimitation to the ICJ in The Hague was announced? Why has the referral issue not moved forward?

N. DENDIAS: During my last visit to Tirana in December, I had the opportunity to discuss in depth with my Albanian counterpart, Olta Xhaçka, the need to accelerate the dialogue between the two countries, on the basis of the political agreement of October 2021, with a view to drawing up the special agreement for the referral of the issue of the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The drafting of the special agreement is a complicated technical-legal task. On the Albanian side there are some internal procedures to be followed. I believe that the settlement of this issue will have multiple benefits. First of all, for both countries, as it will open a new chapter in our bilateral relations. Secondly, for the region, because it will send a message that the countries of the region are capable of resolving bilateral issues in an amicable way, on the basis of International Law. And thirdly, for Albania’s own European perspective.

JOURNALIST: What could the major objectives of Greek foreign policy be for the next four years?

N. DENDIAS: In a complicated and ever-changing international and regional environment, our main concern is to pursue a responsible, meaningful and constructive foreign policy, with calm, prudence and determination.

Geography undoubtedly determines our country’s position. However, it does not confine the formulation and pursuit of a multi-faceted and dynamic foreign policy.
The reference point in our foreign policy is the defence of our national interests, the pursuit of peace, stability and security, respect for the sovereign rights of each country, compliance with International Law and the International Law of the Sea, commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, development of good neighbourly relations, respect for human rights and the protection of the environment.

Allow me to mention, as an example, a few initiatives that reflect our aspiration for an active and constructive contribution of our country to global developments:  Greece’s candidacies for the UN Security Council (2025-2026), for the Human Rights Council (2028-2030), for the Presidency of the General Assembly (2035), as well as the organization of the Our Ocean 2024 Conference.

Our goal is for Greek foreign policy to continue to methodically upgrade the country’s international presence and systematically enhance our relations at European, regional and international level.