JOURNALIST: Turkey has created a ‘powder keg’ in Evros. Do you see a risk of provocation?
N. DENDIAS: The situation that has taken shape in Evros in recent weeks is the result of the Turkey’s exploitation of human suffering and its shameless use of innocent people to force the situation and reap political and economic gains. The Mitsotakis government has a constitutional duty to protect the national territory and its borders, which are also the borders of Europe. The country’s law enforcement authorities have the situation well in hand and, admittedly, are doing an excellent job of ensuring that the borders are not violated. Ankara chose to play the migration card because it is perhaps the only one it thinks it can play in order to exert enough pressure on the EU while also exploiting the issue domestically, distracting public opinion from the impasses created by the government’s choices in foreign policy and other areas. Greece is on the front line, but it is not the main target of this blackmail. And this was the real reason behind President Erdogan’s urging of Greece to open the gates, given that these people on the border want to get to northern Europe. In any event, he got a clear response from both Greece – which secured Europe’s borders – and Europe.
JOURNALIST: What has Greece requested from the EU in order to deal with the refugee crisis, and what has it received?
N. DENDIAS: From the very outset, Greece requested the tangible support of the EU member states and institutions, given that this crisis doesn't concern just Greece: it is a European crisis in which Greece happens to be on the front line. As you know, the EU Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Councils met last week, at Greece’s initiative and with specific requests. I am satisfied with the fact that Europe really did respond to our request in the initial stage, sending assistance in the form of personnel, via Frontex, along with material and financial support. And there is also a discussion under way for the relocation of unaccompanied minors to the other EU member states. We have made it clear – in every direction and at the highest level – that Greece will not shoulder the burden created by the choices of third parties. In any event, our country will continue to carry out its duty, which is to protect Europe’s borders.
JOURNALIST: Will Greece agree to become a prison for desperate people if the EU is unwilling to show solidarity and participate in de-congesting our refugee centres?
N. DENDIAS: Right now, Europe is under intense pressure from mass population movements from the east, on its land and sea borders. And this is the result of an organized operation that Turkey is encouraging and orchestrating. As I said earlier, this matter concerns the whole of Europe and needs to be dealt with collectively, based on the principles and values that govern European culture. Greece has shouldered a huge burden from the refugee and migration crisis of recent years, and it can no longer shoulder a disproportionate burden in this crisis. What’s more, Europe will have to continue to make clear that Turkey cannot use these people as political pawns. In the meetings I had with my colleagues, and following the visit of the EU leaders to Evros at the Prime Minister’s invitation, there seems to be momentum in the right direction: a decisive and rational approach to Turkey and the problems it is creating. European solidarity is perhaps more vital now than ever before. And this is why Greece expects the support of all the member states, without exception. And of course it hardly bears repeating that there is an urgent need to create a common European asylum system.
JOURNALIST: Is there a likelihood of a ‘heated incident’?
N. DENDIAS: Turkey tried to present us with faits accomplis again in Evros, but our reaction was firm and strong. Unfortunately, Turkey has proven consistent in its destabilising conduct virtually everywhere on its periphery, from Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean to North Africa and the Middle East. It's effort to infiltrate Libya through the signing of the two blatantly null and void memoranda, in order to exploit the adverse situation in the country, is a first-class example of the expansionist and revisionist policy Turkey is exercising at the expense of international peace, stability, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of third countries. As for the likelihood of a heated incident, diplomacy’s job is to work to avoid this. In any case, our country is prepared for any eventuality. Our preparedness, which was made clear in Evros, certainly functions as a deterrent. This was a decisive response, and we will continue to respond decisively in as many instances as necessary. At the same time, the extensive network of alliances and mutually beneficial synergies that Greek foreign policy has methodically forged is also contributing to the substantial weakening of actions aimed at destabilising and undermining peace in the region.
JOURNALIST: Can Albania be used by Turkey to increase the pressure on Greece? Can Ankara use Bulgaria as a Trojan horse in the region?
N. DENDIAS: Greece is implementing a positive agenda the Western Balkans. The most recent initiative was the Thessaloniki Conference. This agenda is aimed at consolidating peace and prosperity in the region, with the European accession of these countries as the main vehicle. We firmly believe that not only accession, but also the accession perspective itself can help to solve the structural and domestic problems these countries are facing. And, since you asked about Albania, Greece has stood by this country in difficult times, as was the case with the recent earthquake that hit northern Albania. We support Albania’s European perspective, but always – as I have often repeated – on the condition that it complies with the European acquis and the conditionality in place. This includes meeting its obligations to the Greek National Minority. Unfortunately, the recent property law does not meet the minority’s expectations. Our friendly neighbouring country, Albania, needs to realise that good relations with Greece will have immediate and long-term benefits. We have very good relations with Bulgaria – with the vast majority of the members of its government. I have met with my Bulgarian colleague at various fora and we have common goals and excellent cooperation on many issues. We see all the countries of our region through a positive prism, and our goal is the greatest and closest possible cooperation with them. So, I don’t think Albania or Bulgaria are functioning as Trojan horses, to use your phrase. In fact, I believe that both of these countries need friendship and cooperation with Greece, especially at a time and in a region where conditions are shifting on a daily basis and threats and challenges are increasing.
March 14, 2020