I am particularly happy today to be in Niger, marking the first-ever visit of a Greek Minister to the country. I had the honour of being received by the country’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, and immediately afterwards, I will have extensive talks with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou.
We will sign two agreements between our countries.
Niger is a country of paramount importance to the EU, to the EU’s security. It is a democratic country that plays an extremely positive role in addressing the security challenges and terrorism in the region.
Aside from that, it is a major uranium producer, it is a country with which both the EU and Greece must engage, understand its challenges and help maintain its security.
Question: Minister, your Turkish counterpart, Mr. Çavuşoğlu made new provocative statements today, claiming that Greece has lost its senses and that Turkey will not allow anyone to keep it trapped in its coastline. What is your comment on that?
Minister of Foreign Affairs:
I understand Turkey’s frustration; the United Nations’ and the State Department’s latest statements regarding the Turkish “memorandum” and its validity have obviously caused intense nervousness on the Turkish side.
Thank you.