Dear Sergey, thank you very much for the invitation.
I very much appreciate it, especially due to the current difficult situation.
The intention of all of us is to maintain Peace, Security and Stability in Europe.
Before talking about security in Europe, allow me to say a few words about the historical ties between our countries.
First of all, I would like to point out that a few days ago it was the birthday anniversary of a distinguished predecessor of yours, the first Governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias.
And we do not forget Russia’s decisive contribution to the Greek independence, the fact that we fought on the same side against Nazism and that we paid a heavy price in this fight for freedom. Greece lost about one million human lives in World War II, a huge percentage of its population.
Today, we examined promoting ties between Greece and Russia, following the meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Putin last December, as well as the adoption of the Joint Action Plan for the years 2022-24.
We stressed the need for cooperation in a number of important areas, such as energy, tourism, and the fight against the pandemic.
I had the opportunity to ask from the Russian side to operate charter flights to Greece in the summer.
We also agreed to continue our contacts and political dialogue at all levels, especially on international developments and security in Europe.
Greek foreign policy, as we have repeatedly emphasized, is based on fundamental principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Respect for International Law, including the Law of the Sea.
Prohibition of the use of force or even the threat of use of force against the territorial integrity and independence of any state.
Respect for national sovereignty.
Protection of human rights.
And of course, fulfillment of the commitments that each country has undertaken.
Starting with the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the 1990 Charter of Paris, the 1999 Charter for European Security and other relevant documents.
These documents are the fundamental principles of European Security.
And we, Greeks consider these principles to be universal as well. Greece respects and serves them.
Greece, as a Member State of the European Union, as a Member State of NATO, as a Member State of the OSCE, respects and implements all its contractual commitments.
I underline the unity of the European Union and Greece’s contribution to it.
And it is known to which alliance Greece has belonged to for the last 70 years.
However, this did not stand in the way of strengthening our bilateral ties with Russia.
In a few months, it will be 20 years since the creation of the NATO-Russia Council, a mechanism where all members consult with each other on equal terms.
Greece has always been in favour of an open and honest dialogue with Russia in all bilateral formats, in all multilateral formats, in order to reconcile different approaches and provide appropriate guarantees for peace and security.
We listen carefully to Russia’s concerns about its security.
We also take into account the concerns of other European countries.
We believe that the issues of European Security Architecture should be addressed on the basis of a dialogue, which is conducted in accordance with the provisions and rules of International Law.
In this context, we discussed the situation in Ukraine and I had the opportunity to highlight three important issues.
First, the need for immediate de-escalation.
Second, that we, Greece, fully support the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, Minsk I and Minsk II, by all sides.
And third, which is particularly important for Greece, I made special reference to the Greek Diaspora, especially in Ukraine, in the wider region around Mariupol near the line of contact.
The Diaspora Greeks whom I had the opportunity to meet two weeks ago when I visited them.
And I would like to say that the Mitsotakis government is committed to doing what is necessary to protect Diaspora Greeks who have been living in these places for many centuries.
As we have already argued, no one stands to gain from a conflict in Ukraine.
We will all lose, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has stated.
Finally, today we had the opportunity to examine broader developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region, in the Aegean, the state of affairs with regard to the Cyprus issue, the situation in Syria, Libya and the Caucasus region.
With regard to the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, I briefed Mr. Lavrov on the ongoing Turkish destabilizing conduct and aggression.
I told him that Turkey, obviously taking advantage of the fact that international attention is focused elsewhere, is making unfounded and illegal claims against Greek sovereignty.
And, also that, as in this case, Greece follows its standing policy. It is in favour of a constructive dialogue, but only under the terms of International Law and the International Law of the Sea; declaring at the same time that it will defend in every possible way its sovereignty, its sovereign rights and its national dignity against any threat.
Dear Minister, Dear Sergey, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here in Moscow today.
JOURNALIST: Recently we have been witnessing this new Turkish obsession, as we might call it, with Ankara questioning the Greek sovereignty over even large islands of the Eastern Aegean, combining it with the fact, making the case if you like, that they are militarized. What are the Greek arguments against this Turkish position?
N. DENDIAS: Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to explain something that I believe is obvious and I had the opportunity to make it clear in Oslo the day before yesterday. Turkey maintains an Army at full strength, the Aegean Army, and the largest landing fleet in Europe facing the Greek islands. Turkey has also issued a casus belli, a threat of war. It is the only country on the planet that has issued a threat of war against another country, namely Greece, in case Greece exercises the rights provided for by the Law of the Sea. In particular, UNCLOS, the International Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed by 168 parties including Russia, which is, by the way, our host country here today.
Therefore, I think Turkish claims are utterly pretextual. And since I am here in Moscow, Mr. Lavrov will allow me to make a remark. The agreement on the demilitarization of the Dodecanese was not related to Turkey, but to the concerns of the then Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was the beneficiary of the demilitarization, Turkey is not a signatory to the Treaty, and therefore derives no rights from it; apart from anything else. Thank you very much.
JOURNALIST: [Question in Russian]
N. DENDIAS: To be honest with you, I would very much like talks on the Cyprus issue to resume, but in what framework? In the framework of the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. It is this framework within which we are moving, this is the framework to resolve the Cyprus issue, the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, and we cannot and should not deviate from this. Unfortunately, the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey demand the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot entity in the northern part of Cyprus as an independent entity, before resuming negotiations. This is absolutely unacceptable, it is absolutely illegal as regards International Law, and, consequently, I would rather expect a change in the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot stance before expressing optimism about resuming talks on the Cyprus issue. Besides, what you ask me is related to the Russian side as well, because, as it is known, Russia is one the permanent members of United Nations Security Council, whose resolutions I mentioned. Thank you very much.
JOURNALIST: A question to the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dendias. Minister, you mentioned the reasonable concerns of Athens for the fate of Diaspora Greeks living on either side of the line of contact, in Mariupol and Donbass, especially following the recent tragic incident in Granitna. During talks with your Russian colleague, was there understanding on the Russian part? Are you leaving Moscow feeling more reassured?
N. DENDIAS: Regarding the issue of Diaspora Greeks, I would like to tell you – I said this before – that I visited them two weeks ago. I would also like to reiterate the commitment of the Mitsotakis government to do whatever possible to protect them. In this context, it is particularly important to us to let the Russian side, Mr. Lavrov, know of our interest in the most formal way. And I think the response that I received points to a positive direction. You may have also noticed it from his [Mr. Lavrov’s] statements.