L. ZOCHIOU: Good morning. As you know, we are expecting a visit from the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs later this morning, so I will start with an introductory statement, and then we will move on to your questions.
Let me start with New York. The Minister will travel to New York on September 21, to attend the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly. I would like to recall that Greece participates as an elected member of the Security Council, a participation that carries particular significance.
Before delving into the details of the program, as it has been finalized so far, allow me to briefly refer to the latest developments. As mentioned, in a few hours the Minister of Foreign Affairs will meet with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Unity of Libya, Mr. Taher Al Baour. As you already know, a few days ago, on September 8, Mr. Gerapetritis met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Director-General of the Reconstruction and Development Fund of Libya, Mr. Belgasem Haftar. The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere. The enhancement of economic cooperation was agreed, mainly in the sectors of construction, energy, and transport. The preparation of a business delegation to Benghazi, scheduled for this autumn, was also discussed, as well as the continuation of the training of Libyan Coast Guard officers in Crete, which will contribute to preventing migratory flows from Libya to Greece. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Greece’s position regarding the null and void Turkish-Libyan memorandum. He also emphasized Greece’s constructive role in the context of the European Union and the United Nations in relation to Libya.
Moving to North Africa, on September 6, a Greek delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou, and the Secretary General for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Kalantzis, visited the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai to ensure the safe return to Greece of Archbishop Damianos and other Greek citizens who wished to do so. It was a particularly complex and difficult operation. It required careful preparation and continuous coordination with the Egyptian authorities, and was successfully completed. We also had developments regarding the succession at the Monastery. On Sunday, September 14, the election of the new Hegoumen was announced by the Monastery and the Archdiocese of Sinai. The Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated him on his election and reiterated Greece’s priority to ensure the Greek Orthodox character of the Monastery in perpetuity and its preservation as an active place of worship.
As we had announced, in September, Greece submitted its note verbale in response to the note verbale dated May 27, which was submitted by Libya’s Permanent Mission to the UN. Greece rejects Libya’s claim regarding the Turkish–Libyan memorandum, since Turkey and Libya do not share maritime boundaries given the presence of numerous Greek islands. Apart from ignoring the existence of Greek islands, the Turkish-Libyan memorandum disregards their effect under international law, a rule which is also part of customary law.
Regarding Greece’s response, I would also like to refer to the call for tenders for the exploration and exploitation of offshore blocks south of Crete, as well as to the licenses already granted for maritime areas southwest and west of Crete. In the note verbale it is clearly stated that these blocks fall within areas of exclusive Greek jurisdiction, while claims to the contrary by the Libyan side are rejected as entirely legally unfounded. In this context, on September 10, the U.S. company Chevron officially expressed interest for four offshore blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese. We would like to underline the geopolitical significance of this official expression of interest, as Greece acquires a key role in ensuring energy security and energy independence in Europe and the Mediterranean, thereby contributing to regional stability. Our country’s geopolitical position is upgraded, making Greece an important factor in the wider EU-US energy cooperation.
We also had developments regarding internal affairs in our Ministry. All employees will receive an increase in their salary, a decision which recognizes the contribution of the Ministry’s personnel. This is an important and necessary development, given that needs and responsibilities have significantly increased over time. These additional financial resources will allow us to fulfil these responsibilities.
Regarding the Minister’s program at the General Assembly. The Minister will arrive in New York on September 21. He will address the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. He will also participate in the International Conference on the Two‑State Solution co‑organized by France and Saudi Arabia.
He will address the Security Council’s emergency session on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Moreover, he will participate in the Security Council’s session on the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
Under Greece’s Presidency for 2025, he will chair the Ministerial Meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum, which will take place on the sidelines of the General Assembly. At this meeting, he will have the opportunity to discuss with his counterparts from Armenia, Bolivia, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, and Peru.
As previously mentioned, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will attend a Transatlantic Dinner hosted by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Also, on the sidelines of the General Assembly, trilateral meetings are scheduled between Greece, Cyprus and Jordan; Greece, Cyprus and Egypt; and Greece, Cyprus and Syria, the latter following the visit of the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria to Athens. Additionally, he will participate in the Greece–Bulgaria–Romania–Croatia quadrilateral cooperation scheme and will hold a series of bilateral meetings. Bilateral meetings have been confirmed with counterparts from Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, UAE, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Singapore, Kenya, Ghana, South Sudan, Rwanda, Costa Rica, and Chile. Finally, he will meet with members of the Greek Diaspora and American Jewish organizations.
Deputy Ministers Alexandra Papadopoulou and Harry Theoharis will also be in New York.
Ms. Papadopoulou travels to Washington today, September 17. She will hold meetings with members of the U.S. Congress, with whom she maintains open communication channels from her previous tenure as Ambassador of Greece in Washington. She will also meet with senior U.S. Administration officials. Among other things, she will be involved in organizing the Strategic Dialogue between Greece and the United States, which will take place in Athens.
Regarding Ms. Papadopoulou's participation in the General Assembly in New York, she will take part in an event on maritime security, organized by our country on the sidelines of the General Assembly, aimed at highlighting Greece’s priority during its tenure in the Security Council. The event will be attended, apart from UN officials and representatives, by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization.
I will end my introduction here and open the floor to your questions.
K. BALI: Good morning, Kaki Bali from Avgi newspaper. Does the Greek government recognize that there is a genocide currently taking place in Gaza? And does it wish to be part of the “coalition of the willing” on Ukraine?
L. ZOCHIOU: As regards Gaza, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs has already made numerous statements on this matter. Undeniably, a humanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Gaza at the moment. Greece through statements both at the national level and within the framework of the European Union, the United Nations and the Security Council, has repeatedly expressed its position on issues relating to the crisis in Gaza and, generally, in the Middle East. It has stressed both the humanitarian crisis and the need and priority of achieving a ceasefire, as well as the urgent need of facilitating large-scale flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian situation. Greece has also stated its position on the institutional and financial support to the Palestinian Authority.
At the same time, Greece is a strategic partner of Israel. In its capacity as a strategic partner and reliable interlocutor of Israel, Greece has drawn attention to issues relating to Gaza on numerous occasions, as every partner should. I will therefore leave the matter at that.
On your other question, as already stated during our previous briefing, Greece will contribute to the reconstruction and offer development assistance to Ukraine. However, it does not intend to deploy troops to Ukraine.
CHR. MAZANITIS: On Türkiye and the “Piri Reis” research vessel, which Türkiye is deploying in the Aegean Sea for ten days. It is reportedly approaching several Greek islands and areas that Greece considers part of its continental shelf. On the other side, today there is a major emergency military drill taking place across the Aegean and the islands on the order of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, which, according to military sources, constitutes an indirect response, warning and message to Türkiye regarding the capabilities and intentions of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The second part of my question concerns the SAFE mechanism. Türkiye appears to have found the necessary legal grounds to participate at 35%, as entitled, as a third country and an EU candidate country, in the programs under the SAFE mechanism. Thank you.
L. ZOCHIOU: Thank you. I will respond to the questions that fall within the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. First, regarding the “Piri Reis” vessel. As things stand now, a NAVTEX has been issued by Türkiye. Greece has issued a counter-NAVTEX, as foreseen. Until just before I entered this room, the oceanographic vessel had not moved from the port of Izmir. We are monitoring the situation very closely. In any case, Greece safeguards its sovereign rights.
Regarding the SAFE Regulation. Very recently, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stated unequivocally that countries threatening war against an EU member state cannot participate in the SAFE Regulation. On this point, both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have been clear. As long as there is a threat of war and as long as Türkiye pursues revisionist policies against Greece, Greece will not accept Türkiye’s inclusion in the SAFE Regulation.
Let me recall that Greece succeeded in having eligibility criteria included in Article 16 of the SAFE Regulation, thus making consideration of the security and defense interests of the EU and its member states a precondition. To take this one step further and be even clearer. For a third country to participate in the SAFE Regulation - this EU financial instrument of five-year duration - a bilateral legally binding agreement must be concluded between the EU and the interested third country. The conclusion of such an agreement requires unanimity.
M. GASIAMIS: Marinos Gasiamis from MEGA TV channel. First, is a meeting between Mr. Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart Mr. Fidan planned or expected to take place in New York? Second, is there any scenario, at least in terms of communications, that takes into account the possibility that, the “Piri Reis” vessel is deployed in the Northern Aegean while the Greek Prime Minister is holding a meeting with the Turkish President? And third, is there any development regarding the electricity interconnection cable? Thank you.
L. ZOCHIOU: Let me start with the bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye. No such meeting has been scheduled. Regarding the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Turkish President, you will be informed by the competent authorities. On your third question, Greece remains committed to the implementation of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection project.
You will be briefed by the Government Spokesperson on the Prime Minister’s program.
K. FRYSSA: Katerina Fryssa from ERT. Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs meets the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya. It is the government who has signed the Turkish-Libyan memorandum. At the same time, we are observing large-scale migratory flows to Crete. What is our position? What are we expecting from this visit?
L. ZOCHIOU: Thank you for your question. We maintain open communication channels with both Tripoli and Benghazi. The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visits to both sides has created a momentum which we wish to maintain and foster.
Regarding our relations with Libya, we attach particular importance to building a functional relationship with both sides. And, obviously, we look forward to a definitive solution in Libya, which will come about through fair elections, without foreign interference, resulting in a representative government.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is about to welcome Mr. Al Baour. He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity of Libya. The visit is a follow-up to the Minister’s visit to Tripoli. Significant progress has been achieved on the political level. Since technical negotiating teams have been appointed by both sides, we are ready to resume talks on the delimitation of the EEZ, based on the International Law of the Sea. In addition, there has been and we hope there will be further progress in the area of economic cooperation. Libya is already an important trade partner and our wish is to further promote investments.
Our position on the Turkish-Libyan memorandum is known. The null and void Turkish-Libyan memorandum breaches international law and, therefore, has no legal effect. Our position has been made clear to both sides. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has raised the issue to both sides, both during his own visits and the visit of the Libyan official from Benghazi to Athens. It should be noted that the null and void Turkish-Libyan memorandum has not been implemented in practice, on the field.
Migration flows from Tripoli to Greece have been reduced to zero. The problem lies in the migration flows from Tobruk to Crete. The data for the last two months are irrefutable. We have witnessed a sharp decline in migration flows from Tobruk. If you allow me a comment on the latest developments, the root causes of migration should not be overlooked, nor should geography and Libya's extensive border, which makes surveillance difficult. In any case, we are monitoring the situation, we remain vigilant and in contact with the competent Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
CHR. MAKRI: Chrysa Makri from Parapolitika newspaper. I would like to ask whether the commencement of negotiations between the Greek and Libyan (i.e. Tripoli) delegations regarding the EEZ, will be announced today. And the other thing I wanted to ask is whether there is any reaction to yesterday's statements by Mr. Erdogan regarding the Turkish-Libyan memorandum and his rapprochement with Haftar, the pressure he is exerting on that front.
L. ZOCHIOU: As regards the commencement of technical negotiations, this is something that will be announced once it has been decided and finalized following the meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Libyan Minister. Our position on the Turkish-Libyan memorandum is clear and I have repeated it many times.
K. TSAMOURI: Katerina Tsamouri. Does the Libyan side agree to start discussions in October - even if we don't have a specific date - as stated by the Minister? And also, what would be our reaction if Chevron conducts research in Libya, disregarding the median line? I mean within an area which Tripoli and Ankara consider disputed? Do we have any relevant information from Chevron executives, with whom we had contacts last week? What would our response be to such a scenario?
L. ZOCHIOU: Regarding October. That is something that the Minister mentioned recently in an interview, so we will stay at that for the moment. As for your second question, I would simply like to emphasize what I mentioned in my introductory statement regarding Chevron's expression of interest for the Greek offshore blocks south of Crete and that Greece is safeguarding its sovereign rights.
S. RISTOVSKA: Sanja Ristovska from the ΜΙΑ News Agency. Has a meeting been scheduled with the Minister’s counterpart from North Macedonia, Mr. Mucunski?
L. ZOCHIOU: There is nothing confirmed at this point.
K. ALATZAS: Kostas Alatzas from Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper and Action24 TV channel. I have two questions. Based on the Prime Minister's and the Turkish President's schedules for the UN General Assembly, it seems that the only day both leaders coincide in New York is September 23. Do we have any updates? Has the meeting been finalized? Are we in contact? Given this particular time slot. That was my first question. The second one concerns Greece's reaction in case the Turkish research vessel “Piri Reis” exits the Gulf of Izmir?
L. ZOCHIOU: Regarding a possible meeting between the Prime Minister and the Turkish President, it will be officially announced if and when it is to take place. As for the “Piri Reis”, if Greece's sovereign rights are violated, Greece, as I have said and will repeat, will safeguard its sovereign rights.
Y. MALINOV: Hello, Yuri Malinov from the Russian news agency TASS. I would like to ask about a report I read in the Greek press, namely on Pronews, claiming that Greece, along with three other countries, refused to impose visa restrictions on Russian citizens. Could you confirm this issue? That is, has there been a proposal by the European Commission, and has Greece, together with other countries, blocked an EU decision regarding unfavourable measures against Russians?
****From the very beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Greece has taken a clear stance, unequivocally condemning it and supporting the decisions made as a response within the EU framework - including those related to visas. However, Greece also emphasizes that we oppose the decision of the Russian leadership to attack an independent and sovereign state, and not the Russian people altogether, with whom we share long-standing ties.
K. TSAMOURI: Since a solidarity march to Gaza is currently underway, involving Greek and international activists is there any plan on how they will be protected or how the Greek side will intervene, in case they fail to approach or encounter any problems from the Israeli authorities?
L. ZOCHIOU: Thank you. We are closely monitoring this ongoing issue. At this point, what I can say is that Greece will ensure that conditions for safe navigation will be respected.
September 18, 2025