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S. MOURELATOS: In your assessment, what is the best way to handle Turkey’s escalating violations in the Cypriot EEZ and the Aegean? Will the EU sanctions suffice?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The Greek government has always acted consistently on the basis of “Nicosia decides, Greece follows.” Turkey’s drilling moves are an expression of the tension and strategic impasse our eastern neighbour finds itself in, as a result of its choices. The framework of the EU sanctions is a first step, and it is a step decided on unanimously by the European partners. Turkey's provocations in Cypriot waters have led to its isolation in the international environment. At the same time, Cyprus and Greece are in strategic alliance with Israel and Egypt aimed at extracting their hydrocarbons and forming a solid front that strengthens our position for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and for stopping the Turkish side’s provocative actions.
S. MOURELATOS: What does the veto or non-veto of Skopje’s EU accession course depend upon? Is care being taken to implement the plan for protecting Macedonian products, along with the campaign for promoting the Macedonian “brand”?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The Greek government maintains a firm stance in favour of the prospect of the Union’s enlargement in the wider region of the Western Balkans. But for these countries to join the Union, we consider it vital that they maintain the principles of the rule of law and, of course, good neighbourly relations. This means complying with the constitutional amendments passed and abandoning any trace of irredentism. Athens will be monitoring Skopje’s every step, taking care to keep our neighbours within the framework we have established. Beyond the dimension of the bilateral institutional dialogue and the international team of experts set up to assist in this business dialogue, the Greek government has promoted an additional two-pronged political and technocratic approach. On the one hand, we have laid the foundations for the implementation of holistic actions for promoting the “brand” of Macedonian products, and on the other hand, this whole set of actions will pass through the European Union as a key criterion for our neighbour’s EU accession perspective.
S. MOURELATOS: How ready is Greece for a sudden Brexit? What key moves have you planned to resolve the problems this might create?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The election of Boris Johnson has increased the probability of a no-deal Brexit. The Greek government is preparing to deal with the new status quo in Greek-UK bilateral relations and in EU-UK relations. This is why, immediately after taking up my duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I convened a coordinating meeting with the participation of all the co-competent ministries and agencies, with the aim of ensuring accelerated and timely completion of our national preparations for the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit. We have already drawn up a national operational action plan of 128 actions to be carried out horizontally by the services of the Greek state, under the coordinating umbrella of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And this action plan clearly sets how the ministries need to manage a crisis resulting from a no-deal Brexit. The actions are aimed at securing the rights of Greek citizens and enterprises in the UK. Our immediate priorities also include shaping a framework of rules that will determine issues of trade, tourism, migration, shipping and culture, and we believe we need to conclude a new bilateral education agreement. Finally, we are in the process of drawing up a strategic plan for upgrading our bilateral relations with the United Kingdom, based on the two countries’ historical ties.
August 4, 2019