JOURNALIST: Minister, earlier this week the EU Foreign Affairs Council examined Europe’s options over Turkey’s actions in Varosha. The issue was referred to the EU member states’ permanent representatives for further processing. Do you think that this process could lead to ‘biting’ sanctions that will ‘shake’ Ankara?
N. DENDIAS: First of all, Mr. Evgenidis, the EU has repeatedly sent messages to Turkey due to its provocative and illegal actions in Varosha, as well as in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, but also in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. It is well known, of course, that there are practical difficulties in shaping a genuinely common and effective European foreign policy and that the relevant procedures are not carried out as quickly as we would have liked.
In any case, however, Turkey’s conduct, which blatantly violates International Law and UN Security Council Resolutions, does not take place without consequences. As set out in the recent Council conclusions on the EU enlargement process, Turkey is increasingly distancing itself from the EU, while its accession negotiations have been virtually frozen.
In the same context, the EU stressed that Turkey needs to halt all threats and actions that are detrimental to good neighbourly relations, normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU member states. I hope that the Turkish leadership will realize – albeit belatedly – that it is in the real interest of Turkish society to maintain good relations with the EU. To achieve this Turkey’s alignment with the European acquis, which includes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is also required.
JOURNALIST: A few days ago you visited Thrace and Alexandroupolis in particular, which will have a significant role from now on. Do you think that the US presence there will be a strong counterweight to possible Turkish considerations on the region?
N. DENDIAS: My visit to Thrace last week was a constructive and learning experience. I was particularly pleased to visit Alexandroupolis, a beautiful and vibrant city with history and traditions. I also had the honour to send a message of equality before the law and peaceful coexistence, by hosting a dinner for the Archbishops and the locum tenens Muftis of Thrace, but also with my visit to the Tekke of Roussa, one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Alevi Muslims in the world. After all, the Mitsotakis government has demonstrated its willingness to put Thrace at the top of its priorities in order to substantially upgrade its role and importance. Thrace has the potential to capitalize on every advantage available for the development of all sectors of the economy, not only in the specific region but also in the wider region and the whole of Southeastern Europe. At the same time, through the two agreements we signed with the United States, the great geopolitical importance of the port of Alexandroupolis has been highlighted.
Building on the geostrategic position of this port, the region can develop into a strong energy and transportation centre of broader international recognition, which has a beneficial effect on the security of the country in general. At the same time, the port of Alexandroupolis has been integrated in our defence plans and thus serves, in the clearest sense, our national interests.
JOURNALIST: Do you think that the state of Turkish economy due to the collapse of the Turkish lira could lead Mr. Erdoğan to export tension to either the Aegean or the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone?
N. DENDIAS: It is true that the neighbouring country is facing a domestic economic crisis, for which, it goes without saying, we do not rejoice. What we want to see is a prosperous, peaceful and democratic Turkey. That is the reason we always hope Turkey will be able to find solutions to its domestic problems and that, in terms of our interstate relations, it will not escalate at any level. This is something that does not benefit anyone and, above all, it is not in Turkey’s interest. You will allow me, therefore, not to give an answer to hypothetical scenarios, as I do not consider this to be productive. On the other hand, we are always on the alert and vigilant, calmly and closely following the moves and reactions of the Turkish side.
Our foreign policy goals are not defined by what is happening in Turkey. Greece today is stronger both geopolitically and militarily, as it has developed a multilateral diplomacy in the course of the last two years, with alliances at many levels, which have strengthened our position and have made our country a factor of peace and stability, not only in the region of the Aegean, but more broadly in the Eastern Mediterranean region as well.
JOURNALIST: I do not know whether you had a first discussion with your German counterpart, Ms Baerbock, at the Foreign Affairs Council. Do you think that her presence in the Ministry and the involvement of the Greens in foreign policy in general, will have an impact on the issues that concern us?
N. DENDIAS: Your question gives me the opportunity to recall that both the Greek government and I personally as Minister of Foreign Affairs sought to open channels of communication with all German political parties, even when they were not in government. I have already met Ms Baerbock twice, when she was in opposition. During my visit to Berlin in November 2020, I had meetings with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Bundestag.
Therefore, I can say that even before the elections in Germany we already had a clear idea of the Greens’ positions on foreign policy issues, while they are also aware of the Greek positions.
However, the new German government is actually a coalition government, which means that its positions will be shaped through a process of consultation between government partners.
Hence, it is too early to make predictions about the foreign policy that will ensue. In any case, we expect the new German government to undertake a leading role in formulating policies that will strengthen the EU’s position as a force of peace and stability. And this means, first and foremost, not to support politically – let alone militarily – revisionist forces which systematically violate international law, threaten with war, and cause destabilization.
JOURNALIST: Let me ask you straight: will the elections, scheduled for Christmas Eve in Libya, be held? And if not, what does that mean for our region?
N. DENDIAS: Our firm position is that the elections must be held on the scheduled date. However, I will make no secret of the fact that developments so far are a cause for concern. There are already voices from within the country, and in some cases from abroad, calling for their postponement for later.
It is imperative – we have stated it many times and at every opportunity – for this most troubled country to embark upon a path that will lead it to overcome its internal divisions and to establish a viable and functioning democratic order, which will provide security and stability for both its people and the wider region.
Conversely, as long as this state of affairs continues and the country is not stabilized, various, mostly external, actors are given the opportunity to intervene and promote their own self-serving interests to the detriment of the security and well-being of the Libyan people.
In addition, Libya remains a potential source of instability for the wider region. Both we and the European Union are fully aware of this and are willing to help.
As you know, Greece has been active in Libya for the last year and a half. We have reopened our Embassy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi; we are closely following developments, expanding the scope of economic cooperation and actively contributing to the Libyan people’s effort to stabilize the country.
JOURNALIST: A few days ago, the “Menendez Act” was passed in the USA. To what extend is this important for our national interests?
N. DENDIAS: The adoption of this Act [U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021] follows the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) which I signed with my counterpart Antony Blinken in Washington, but also the extremely constructive contacts with Mr. Menendez, a good friend of Greece, a few months ago in Athens. It is yet another important step in deepening the strategic relationship between Greece and the USA and sends out the message that our country has a say and a role in developments concerning the wider region.
But also on a practical level, this bill (typically it will become Act when Mr. Biden signs it) allows for a significant upgrade of Greece’s defence capabilities and highlights its geostrategic role in the wider region, not only by facilitating access to the purchase of F-35 fighter aircrafts, if and when we decide it, but also through its other provisions, such as the procurement of defence equipment and the Greek Armed Forces’ military education and training. Let us not forget the establishment of an Interparliamentary Group, in the framework of the 3+1 format (Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the USA), in order to deepen this relationship with a legislative component.
The key message from this adoption therefore is that Greece is now considered internationally as a force of security and stability, having made great strides during these two and a half years of the current government’s term in expanding and upgrading its alliances and diplomatic relations.