“Any actions in the field that violate Greek sovereign rights will not be tolerated”, was the message sent to Turkey by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, in an interview with" POLITICAL" newspaper and journalist Dora Koutrokoi.
“Greece has shown in practice that it pursues dialogue and understanding. At the same time Turkey continues its inflammatory rhetoric and this is something that does not go unnoticed, nor does it go unanswered by the Greek side. Once again, we warn that any actions in the field that violate Greek sovereign rights will not be tolerated. That is why we are not becoming complacent. We have been monitoring developments closely and, if deemed necessary, we are always prepared to respond to any provocations”, the Alternate Minister noted characteristically. He added: “If Turkey wishes to improve its relations with Greece, it must prove it in practice, abandon neo-Ottoman rhetoric, never return to provocations on the ground, and finally show that it respects International Law and the Law of the Sea, something it persists in not doing thus far.”
Regarding the AUKUS agreement, the Alternate Minister pointed out that “it is not for the EU to play the role of the loser or the deceived but the role of a protagonist. The agreement constitutes a pivotal factor in defining Europe’s global role. Europe faces considerable dilemmas for the future and has many challenges to address. Our answer, however, must be single and clear: more Europe, a safer and stronger Europe, able to undertake an international role and have a voice in global affairs”.
Asked about the Archbishop of America, he stressed that “no one is above criticism and the Archbishop's apology proves it”.
The full text of the Alternate Minister’s interview is as follows:
JOURNALIST: How do you assess the UN Summit and the Greek presence?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greece is now present in all international Fora. And its voice is heard everywhere. This was clearly demonstrated a few days ago, with the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign and European Affairs of the Western Balkans, held in Thessaloniki and the EUMED Summit, held in Athens. Now, from across the Atlantic, the Prime Minister outlined to the international community all the challenges that Europe has to address in the issues of climate change, strategic autonomy, security in the Mediterranean region and respect for International Law.
JOURNALIST: Has an issue arisen with the presence of the Archbishop of America at the inauguration of the “Turkish House”?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The universality of Orthodoxy transcends the narrow confines of national policies. However, its leaders should be careful in managing this role. No one is above criticism and the Archbishop's apology proves it.
JOURNALIST: Does the calm summer herald a similarly calm autumn regarding the course of Greek-Turkish relations?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greek-Turkish relations should not be approached with wishful thinking. Whether this year’s calm summer – when compared to that of 2020- will lead to calm autumn remains to be seen in practice. Undoubtedly, we want a good climate. The good atmosphere, however, is judged by the intentions, the actions and the aspirations, but also by the sincerity of each side. Greece has shown in practice that it wants dialogue and conciliation. At the same time, Turkey continues the inflammatory rhetoric, and this is something that does not go unnoticed, nor does it go unanswered by the Greek side. Once again, we warn that any actions in the field that violate Greek sovereign rights will not be tolerated. That is why we are not becoming complacent. We have been monitoring developments closely and, if deemed necessary, we are always prepared to respond to any provocations.
JOURNALIST: What do you think is the reason for the improved climate in recent months?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The threat of sanctions against Ankara, both from the EU and the US, has forced Turkey to change its stance on the ground. In reality, however, it never abandoned its tactic of provocations, as evidenced by the repeated aggressive statements by Turkish officials. If Turkey wishes to improve its relations with Greece, it must prove it in practice, abandon neo-Ottoman rhetoric and not return to provocations on the ground, and finally show that it respects International Law and the Law of the Sea, something it persists in not doing to this day. In the meeting I had in Brussels with the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Sinkevicius, I called for the EU to take action, especially on the issue of Turkish illegal fishing. The time has come for Europe to act!
JOURNALIST: Minister, was Europe caught unaware on the issue of the US-UK-Australia agreement? Is there room for reaction and at what level?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: I had the opportunity to exchange views on the AUKUS agreement in the General Affairs Council. Undoubtedly it is a game changer on the international stage. It has created a new global set-up. France's reaction shows that there was a surprise. There are evidently concerns in Brussels as well. It is not for the EU to play the role of the looser, or the deceived, but the role of a protagonist. We should not resort to knee-jerk reactions. The agreement constitutes a pivotal factor in defining Europe’s global role. Europe faces considerable dilemmas for the future and has many challenges to address. Our response, however, must be single and clear: More Europe, a safer and stronger Europe, able to undertake an international role and have a voice in global affairs.
JOURNALIST: Is China also a ‘threat’ to Europe, as it seems to be to the United States, at least as evidenced by Biden's latest moves?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Obviously, the aim of this agreement is to contain China at economic, trade and geopolitical level. For the US, China is a strategic competitor. This has always affected the US-EU-China triangle, as China is the EU's largest trading partner. The EU is the most open economic area in the world, but it should make no compromises on the issues of its values and principles. Greece is a prime example of good cooperation with China. I believe that the EU strategy must be flexible in the new circumstances. There should be cooperation where possible, competition where appropriate, confrontation when necessary.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that the issue of Afghanistan will be forgotten at EU level and will re-emerge to affect our country in a negative way, in case there are large migration flows towards the end of the year and there is no proper preparation on the part of Europe?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The issue of Afghanistan was raised at the recent EUMED Summit. The countries of the South have sent a clear message that vigilance is needed and that Europe's response must be timely and decisive. Greece has made it clear that the refugee flows of 2015 cannot be repeated and that the practice of ‘we have opened our borders and we are waiting for you’ will never be applied again. It has now become clear that the Greek borders are also European borders. So, it is not enough to have only a common understanding but also common action. It is also important, and it seems that Turkey agrees on this, that the countries bordering Afghanistan, as countries of first reception, should take in Afghans fleeing from their country.
September 25, 2021