Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ participation in the online event themed: “Discussion on the Greek Grand Strategy: The Foreign Policy Dimension” (Athens 17.06.2021)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, participated as a keynote speaker in the online event organized by the Council for International Relations – Greece, themed “Discussion on the Greek Grand Strategy: The Foreign Policy Dimension”. The discussion was moderated by Professor at the University of Piraeus Christos Chadjiemmanuel and participated by Professors K. Lavdas, K. Botsiou and P. Sklias.

In his intervention, the Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the promotion of a new concept in Greek foreign policy based on a thematically and geographically multilevel diplomatic effort. Responding to the questions of the panel, the Minister outlined the key axes of an extroverted national planning and referred to the Greek-Turkish relations, the Balkans, the relations with the USA, the promotion of cooperation with friends and partners in the wider region and the multilateral cooperation schemes, the Law of the Sea and the delimitations of the EEZ and the continental shelf, the role of Greece in shaping EU decisions, the revitalization of bilateral relations with partners and allies in NATO and the EU, but also to the reform effort to modernize the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by enhancing, among other things, the role of public diplomacy.

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Dendias pointed out: “Given the potential of the country, its geopolitical footprint and its geographical position, I must say that we are quite pleased with what has been achieved by the Mitsotakis government during its two years in office. We believe that the serious Turkish aggression, indeed a neo-Ottoman attitude not known to us until this point in time, was dealt with to the degree it could be dealt with. We managed to turn Turkish aggression into a “weapon” against Turkey itself, that is, Turkey inadvertently helped us to establish understandings and alliances. We are optimistic that by employing the same tactics and constant diplomatic mobility we will be able to expand our horizons and finally reach what is the ultimate goal for our country, the creation of conditions for security and prosperity.”

Concluding, the Minister stressed that a growing economy that enhances the country’s potential for visibility and influence, diplomatic activity in accordance with international law and the international legal order that makes Greece a model for other countries and a bridge with the EU and, of course, national accord, all contribute to the successful implementation of foreign policy.