M. VARVITSIOTIS: There is only one dispute with Turkey – We are not discussing matters of national sovereignty
“It is important that the exploratory talks are resuming in a climate of de-escalation,” Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis stressed in his interview this morning on Skai 100.3 radio, with journalists Dimitris Economou and Eva Antonopoulou.
The Alternate Minister underscored that there is one and only one dispute: delimitation of the maritime zones based on International Law. He made it clear that “in no case are we discussing matters of national sovereignty, given that it is under constant threat from the Turkish side.”
In this context, Mr. Varvitsiotis highlighted the major mobilisation of international players. He said specifically that the European partners succeeded in cultivating Turkey's readiness to enter into dialogue, with respect for the rules of dialogue, also pointing to the U.S. sanctions, which worked significantly to convince Turkey that it does not have a blank cheque to do whatever it wants in the region.
Finally, asked about the upcoming vote on the bills on extension of territorial waters in the Ionian to 12 nautical miles and the purchase of Rafales, he noted that “the Hellenic Parliament must send a unanimous message that we are committed to defending our national sovereignty by increasing the country’s defensive capabilities and to exercising the option we have under international law to extend our territorial waters in the Ionian.”
January 12, 2021