Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ response to the “Vima tis Kyriakis” newspaper’ s question: “My note to the next Minister” (29.04.2023)

In 2019, I had the privilege and honour of being appointed to the political leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The completion of a government term is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the work that has been accomplished, but also to write a note that will serve as a “compass” to assist the next Minister, whenever the time of handover comes.

In such a note I would include the principles that we have upheld in exercising foreign policy and which it would be useful to continue to uphold. Principles such as adherence to International Law and the International Law of the Sea, respect for the independence and territorial integrity of the states, defending peace, democracy, the Rule of Law, etc.  In the same note, however, I would propose concrete ways on how to make the dialogue with Türkiye more effective in resolving the sole dispute we have, regarding the delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ, on the basis of International Law and International Law of the Sea.

In my note, I would also recall that during my tenure we have developed a multifaceted network of relations which should be maintained, in addition to our presence in Europe, our strategic cooperation with the US, and our active participation in international and regional organizations. I would also recall that we have expanded our cooperation with the Western Balkans, the Middle East, the Gulf, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, with Asian countries, with Australia. Relationships that are valuable for our foreign policy.

During the four years since 2019, more than 200 travels and over 1 million kilometers have taken me and my team to many parts of the world. The goal was to broaden the horizons of our foreign policy and deepen our alliances and strategic cooperation relationships around the world. As a result, a number of Agreements were concluded, cooperation schemes were developed, and even our national territory was expanded.

This, I believe, is the valuable legacy I will leave when called upon, but it is not the only one.  I consider equally important the reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the modernisation of its structures, which should be implemented.