There is no room for complacency or self-isolation in foreign policy. Especially when events require constant vigilance on our part. Greece is a country that exercises an active foreign policy on all levels. It does not hide from new developments. Moreover, Greece is a country that is always open to dialogue, pursuing good-faith and honest two-way communication with everyone it talks to.
With the recent decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, Turkey sparked reactions on a global level. Erdogan’s action marks a resounding shift in Turkey, from secular republic towards a post-Kemalist Islamic republic. Turkey is choosing to follow a neo-Ottoman path that is far from European values. Hagia Sophia is not a Greek-Turkish issue. It Euro-Turkish; it is global. And as the Prime Minister said, it is also universal.
In the face of this reality and Turkey’s ongoing provocations, we do not refuse to take part in a dialogue initiated by major powers, such as Germany, which currently holds Presidency of the EU. In light of this, Greece had no reason not to participate in the trilateral meeting in Berlin between Greece, Turkey and Germany. It is important, in the midst of this difficult situation, to keep the channels of communication open, even on the level of ministry officials.
This is a key principle of international diplomacy – a principle no country can ignore if it wants to get results, rather than simply propagating wishful thinking. Especially at a time when it is pointing to its interlocutor’s bad faith and intransigence. Otherwise, it runs the risk of appearing untrustworthy and inconsistent. What’s more, in foreign policy it is important to avoid any traps your ‘opponent’ may set for you. The opposition’s allegations of so-called secret diplomacy are groundless.
While striving to promote Greece’s positions in all European and international fora, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also made it a priority to promote domestic institutional dialogue and keep the political parties and Parliament apprised of developments. Especially in the current state of affairs, our country does not have the luxury of internal division. It needs to present a unified and solid front against all challenges.
July 17, 2020