JOURNALIST: Could the Turkish invasion in Syria exacerbate refugee flows? How does our country intend to deal with this?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The instability prevailing in the region leaves no room for guesswork. Especially on the issue of migrant and refugee flows, the Greek government is taking all necessary measures to avert another 2015, and in this context I want to be clear: we will not allow Turkey to use migration flows as leverage against Europe. In contrast to what the previous government did, we will be implementing returns to our neighbouring country very efficiently, as this procedure is set out in the EU-Turkey Joint Statement. At the same time, Greece, as always, is supporting the EU and international organizations on matters of sanctions and external policy. At the emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister, we discussed the issue of decongestion of the islands and the organization of reception centres, and we decided on specific measures. By the same token, as I stressed in my intervention at the EU General Affairs Council this past week, we are in favour of increased funding for security and migration policies. Migration is a European issue and needs to be dealt with by the Union as a whole, and not by each member state separately.
JOURNALIST: Last week, the 28 EU Foreign Ministers decided on sanctions against Ankara for the illegal drilling it is carrying out off the coast of Cyprus. What is your interpretation of Turkey’s escalation of its provocations in the Cypriot EEZ?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Turkey is constantly provoking the international community on multiple fronts. Turkey’s increasing restlessness is creating strong concerns about the Southeast Mediterranean region. On the other hand, our country, with the new government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has forged the international position, as shown by our constant meetings with our allies. It has been made clear that respect for international law is a self-evident and inviolable condition for any step our neighbouring country takes towards the future. In any event, Nicosia decides and Athens follows. In this context, Greece and Europe support the free and unhindered exploitation of offshore resources for the benefit of Cypriot society. The government believes that the way to resolve Greek-Turkish problems is political dialogue and diplomacy. And it is on this foundation that we want to build the Greek-Turkish relationship.
JOURNALIST: How important to Greece is the new Greek-U.S. defence agreement that was signed recently in Athens?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Greece is jump-starting its relationship with the United States and strengthening its international profile in general. The new Greek government and the prime minister have a strong say in international fora. This was clear at the UN General Assembly and from the recent visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to Athens, where the Protocol of Amendment to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed. The signing of this agreement fortifies our country and our interests. Greece is enhancing its role as a pillar of stability in the region and creating new cooperation with its allies. We are at the beginning of a new strategic dialogue with the U.S. – a dialogue that will contribute to further consolidation of our country’s position in the Southeast Mediterranean.
JOURNALIST: How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intend to expand economic cooperation with other countries to attract investments?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Our government’s motto is growth. Growth for all. That is why it is a key priority for all of the ministries to attract foreign capital and create an attractive, investment-friendly economic environment. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we are preparing to issue a “business visa” that will accelerate the procedure for obtaining a visa for professional purposes following a business invitation, thus solving a decades-old problem. At the same time, Enterprise Greece is operating under the Foreign Ministry’s supervision, and 250 Greek entrepreneurs have already contacted Enterprise Greece in their search for strategic investors in the tourism sector. Thirty per cent of these investments are considered mature, and nine have been fast-tracked. At the same time, our country is enhancing its cooperation with its European partners and pursuing the necessary funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policies in the Union’s new budget for 2021-2027.
JOURNALIST: Following a ten-year crisis, do you think Europe has learned anything? Has it come out stronger? How strong a sway does the EU have in international affairs?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Europe is our home. We have to take care of it and make it clear that we have learned from this colossal crisis. Greece and the Greek people chose Europe as a safe harbour for our country, and the recent elections confirm this emphatically. Of course, sacrifices were made – disproportionately large sacrifices. That is why it is our great responsibility to make both the EU and our country stronger in the future. Large and small EU countries alike should have learned from what the European continent experienced. Naturally, there are weaknesses. The Union needs work to gain the sway it deserves in its role and its history. This work has to be done now and fast. A common stance on a number of issues must soon become a given rather than a goal. This is a great challenge for Europe’s leadership.
October 20, 2019