JOURNALIST: Minister, we have seen a de-escalation in Turkish aggressive rhetoric and zero violations in the Aegean following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye. How long will this good period in Greek-Turkish relations last?
N. DENDIAS: We are fully aware of the difficulties in our bilateral relations with Türkiye. We are following developments closely, we hope to maintain calm, and we remain committed to our firm position for a sincere and constructive dialogue to resolve our dispute within the context of International Law and the International Law of the Sea. It must, however, be equally clear that our national sovereignty is not in the least questionable, nor is it a subject for discussion.
JOURNALIST: By the way, how did you feel when you received the congratulatory letter from your Turkish counterpart on March 25th?
N. DENDIAS: I felt very satisfied by this symbolic gesture which is part of improving bilateral relations and reversing Ankara’s sharp rhetoric. Of course, this climate that has been created must be preserved and not sacrificed on the altar of pre-electoral needs and expediency.
JOURNALIST: Can we become friends with Türkiye? What is the message you would send to the neighbors today?
N. DENDIAS: Of course, we can, but a relationship of friendship requires mutual respect and trust and is governed by a spirit of solidarity and understanding. I believe we can develop a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship of good neighborliness and interaction with Türkiye. We have actively demonstrated our friendly attitude.
JOURNALIST: At the same time, there’s Türkiye’s support for our country’s effort to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. How do you see such a gesture of goodwill? Are you optimistic that we will manage to be elected for the third time in the history of the UN?
N. DENDIAS: Türkiye’s support for Greece becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term carries a special symbolism, as the Security Council is the guardian and defender of the United Nations Charter and International Law, to both of which our country attaches the highest value. Consequently, this gesture has a clearly positive impact. As for the second part of your question, I’d like to emphasize that I am optimistic that our candidacy will be widely recognized and successful.
JOURNALIST: You are approaching the completion of nearly four years at the helm of Greek diplomacy. In your opinion, how much has the country’s image abroad changed during this period?
N. DENDIAS: During this period, Greece expanded on the basis of International Law and the Law of the Sea. The EEZ delimitation Agreements I signed with Italy and Egypt, as well as the agreement with Albania to refer the issue of EEZ delimitation to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, are tangible proof of this. We have forged strong strategic ties of friendship and cooperation not only with traditional partners and allies but also with countries in the Middle East, South America, Africa, and India. We have strengthened the country’s geo-strategic footprint by signing a huge number of Bilateral Agreements including the Strategic Partnership Agreement with France, the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US, and the Joint Declaration of Strategic Partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Greek foreign policy currently plays an active role in developments in our wider region and participates in efforts so that solutions to issues of concern to the international community can be found. For example, on Friday, April 21, Greece will host for the first time a meeting on Syria, with the attendance of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the UN General Assembly for Syria, Mr. Petersen.
Lastly, Greece’s candidacies for the Security Council (2025-2026) and for the Human Rights Council (2028-2030) for the Presidency of the General Assembly (2035), and the organization of the “Our Ocean Conference 2024” reflect Greece’s active and constructive contribution to global developments.
JOURNALIST: Could you name a difficult time during these years?
N. DENDIAS: The summer of 2020 was a very difficult time for both the country and me personally. What matters though is that we do not go through such difficult times again.
JOURNALIST: There has been a change in the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus: From Nicos Anastasiades to Nikos Christodoulides. Is something changing in Greek-Cypriot relations? Would you see light at the end of the tunnel for the Cyprus issue following the Turkish elections? And in what regard?
N. DENDIAS: It is undeniable that relations between Greece and Cyprus have always been and remain excellent. Cyprus, as I frequently emphasize, “does not lie far away”. Furthermore, the Cyprus issue is the top national priority for the Mitsotakis government. A priority for the achievement of which Greece seeks a just and viable solution, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on the UN Security Council Resolutions. Furthermore, I am absolutely convinced that the emerging climate in Greek-Turkish relations – which we hope will continue after the elections in Türkiye – can only contribute positively to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue and, more broadly, to fostering peace and security in the wider region.
JOURNALIST: What about your most important achievement?
N. DENDIAS: I don’t like using the word “achievement” when it comes to foreign policy matters. I would prefer the term “fulfilling objectives” as a result of planning, effort, and hard work. But if I had to single out something, I’d say that this is the first time that the national territory has expanded since 1947 with the extension of our territorial waters from 6 to 12 nautical miles in the Ionian Sea and up to Cape Tainaron.
Let me explain that we went through several challenges. My tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been marked by key events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which are rebalancing the global system and, by extension, affecting our immediate neighborhood. So, both vigilance and new, proactive planning are required on our part. We have also experienced many ups and downs in Greek-Turkish relations.
Many of our foreign policy objectives have been met, and we may achieve considerably more. In a nutshell, I’d say that our government has been justified in all of the big national decisions it has made, and it has always been on the right side of history. I’d also like to emphasize that we’ve managed to keep foreign policy issues separate from home political “toxicity”.
JOURNALIST: Greece has invested politically in the trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. What may we expect in the short term?
N. DENDIAS: Considering the recent Greece-Cyprus-Israel Trilateral meeting that took place at the end of March in Nicosia, I would first of all like to recall that this format aims to consolidate a regional security framework, primarily through synergies in areas such as energy, innovation, and digital technology, among others. Therefore, the issues of the EastMed gas pipeline and the EuroAsia Interconnector, whose geostrategic importance has been particularly highlighted since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, were discussed in depth.
Similar importance was given to the “Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum”. This is an example of how energy can serve as a catalyst for a peaceful partnership in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the wider Middle East. In this regard, we look forward to the future admission of new members such as Türkiye, on the strict condition that they respect International Law and the International Law of the Sea. Greece, fully aware of the increasing geopolitical challenges, aspires to become an energy hub in the fields of gas and electricity supply.
JOURNALIST: Greece’s opening to Africa has its own significance. What are the expectations for our country?
N. DENDIAS: Our government’s strategic choice is to open up and enhance relations with African countries, a geographical area where our presence has ranged from non-existent to minimal for decades. Africa comprises now one of our foreign policy’s six pillars, as it is a continent with inexhaustible natural resources, as well as with numerous opportunities for economic development and the use of renewable energy sources, placing it at the heart of future political, economic, energy, climate and environmental developments.
Greece, being a country without a colonial past and with historical Greek communities in Africa, has the potential to establish solid foundations for cooperation with African countries and thus foster multilateral cooperation. In terms of energy and the African continent’s green transition, Greece already serves as a bridge between Europe and Africa through Egypt. We have donated more than 4 million doses of vaccines to Africa. Furthermore, it is for these reasons that I have visited 12 African countries. We also look forward to jointly addressing major challenges, such as climate change, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism.