JOURNALIST: In an ever-changing geopolitical environment, with a new US President, who has already caused global turmoil, and with an ongoing war in Ukraine, I think it is particularly interesting to talk to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gerapetritis. I am glad that we will have the opportunity to discuss today at the Delphi Forum. Ι would like to start with the cable, because it was said that the resumption of work on the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection was only a matter of days. So, when exactly will the project resume? There’s a sense that it’s being delayed. And, of course, considering Türkiye’s longstanding objections to this issue, what makes you believe we will not have another incident like the one in Kasos last July?
G. GERAPETRITIS: The Greek government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are making every effort to ensure that there will be no issues with the electricity interconnection. As you know, site-survey activities and the laying of the submarine cable are protected under international law and therefore do not require any permit. We are planning all the necessary actions. It is a technically complex exercise that requires coordinated efforts across multiple Ministries. The site-survey activities and the laying of the submarine cable will resume at the appropriate time. In any case, no binding date had ever been set. We will proceed as needed and at the proper time.
JOURNALIST: The Turkish Ministry of Defense leaked today that it is unacceptable for Greece and the other two parties to insist on continuing with unfeasible and provocative projects. I would like to ask: how is Athens prepared to respond, in case we have a repetition of what happened in Kasos with the ships of the two countries? Especially considering that Israel is now also part of the equation, at a time when tensions with Türkiye are at their peak.
G. GERAPETRITIS: First of all, I am not going to comment on leaks. What I will do is explain the position of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of Greece. The Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project is a project of Common European Interest. It is partially funded by the European Union. Several countries are directly interested and involved in this project. Accordingly, there is a broader interest. We recognize the significant value of the project in the energy sector, especially for Cyprus, because it essentially lifts Cyprus’s energy isolation and, therefore, offers multidimensional benefits. Whether this project complies with international law is absolutely clear. Fortunately, there is something overarching for all of us, and that is international law. In the context of the international security architecture, we are all obliged to respect it. International law does not allow for multiple interpretations. As you know, Greece has been guided, for decades, precisely by international law, and, in particular, the Law of the Sea. We do not act unilaterally, we are not going to do anything that contradicts international law, but, on the other hand, we demand that each side show the appropriate respect.
JOURNALIST: So, I imagine there is a plan of response if the Kasos scenario occurs again.
G. GERAPETRITIS: There are plans for all possible developments, so we are fully prepared.
JOURNALIST: The cooperation with Israel includes not only the submarine cable, but also defense equipment. In fact, under the ambitious air defense dome project over the Aegean, we will be acquiring defense equipment from Israel. We understand that this makes our relations with Türkiye even more difficult, in the sense that they might say: “We’re trying to resolve matters between us, and you’re buying weapons from Israel”.
G. GERAPETRITIS: I think the answer is quite simple. Greek foreign policy is not determined by external parties. And you know, for years the prevailing attitude has been that every action of Greek diplomacy should be viewed in the light of the Turkish perspective or the Turkish reaction. The reality is that the relationship we have developed with Israel is extremely important. It is of strategic significance. However, I would like to emphasize that we maintain equally significant, high-level relationships of cooperation and solidarity with all Arab states, with which we have excellent ties. Greece is developing a multilateral diplomacy and we will continue in the same way. As far as the special cooperation with Israel is concerned, we will develop and deepen it independently. Our bilateral relations are extremely strong and are characterized by a particular strategic depth. We will continue along this path, with emphasis on international law and always for the benefit of regional peace and security.
JOURNALIST: “Milliyet” reported that Kyriakos Mitsotakis' meeting with Tayyip Erdogan has been postponed indefinitely following the Greek Prime Minister's visit to Israel and his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu. Are Greek-Turkish relations being “frozen” again?
G. GERAPETRITIS: I appreciate your direct question, and you will receive a direct answer. Greek-Turkish relations are not “frozen”. Of course, our points of disagreement remain. And we have demonstrated that we are not idealists, nor do we believe that we can resolve everything at once. And for this reason, I would like to emphasize that the Greek-Turkish relationship, as it has been structured and organized, with deliverables, ownership and timetables, will continue. The High-Level Cooperation Council, which essentially includes the meeting between the two leaders, will take place at a later date. It has not yet been specifically scheduled. We last mentioned that it would take place sometime after Easter. However, under no circumstances has this been put on hold.
JOURNALIST: Let us stay on Greek-Turkish relations. We do see that, indeed, in recent years airspace violations have almost reduced to zero, but the same cannot be said for maritime violations. According to official data from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS), which has also been brought to the attention of the Ministry, last year we had a four-year record of violations of our territorial waters by Turkish warships and coast guard vessels. So, where is the de-escalation?
G. GERAPETRITIS: With all due respect, de-escalation exists in many areas — not just in one field. We all understand the significance of having no airspace violations, and not just in operational terms. There is always the risk of a “hot incident”, or a major aeronautical crisis that could lead to extremely bloody events. What I would like to stress is that cooperation has produced significant results in several sectors, such as bilateral trade, or the field of migration, where, during an extremely difficult time of large-scale movements, wars in our region, and major humanitarian crises, migratory flows have been significantly reduced thanks to the cooperation between Greek and Turkish authorities. We have the cooperation as regards tourism. Do you know that the local economies of 12 Greek islands have been significantly boosted thanks to the fast-track visa issuance for Turkish citizens and their families? Most importantly, there has been an improvement in mutual understanding between the two governments, and I believe also between the two peoples. I would like to stress that, despite the valid points you raise, not all problems have been resolved overnight, obviously.
I would like to say that the way we approach Türkiye is important, but how we see our own role in the region — not just for today and tomorrow, but from a long-term perspective is more important. Let me be clear: Greece ensures that it strengthens its defense, and it is doing so in an excellent way. Greece ensures fiscal balance and stability so that it is not shaken by any economic or commercial crisis, and is expanding its diplomatic footprint. But, above all, all this serves one purpose: peace and prosperity. It is not aimed at maintaining a state of perpetual conflict. We are prepared, we are alert, but we are the first to wish for a peaceful neighborhood.
JOURNALIST: There are international reactions to the imprisonment of Ekrem Imamoglu. We understand that we have to be extremely cautious with our wording. But what is our position? Do we consider that there is currently a democratic deficit in the neighboring country?
G. GERAPETRITIS: We are saying that there can be absolutely no concession when it comes to the rule of law and political freedoms. We said this from the very first moment. We were very clear. Convincing answers should be provided when there are any restrictions on freedom, as it is the case now with the Mayor of Istanbul, since these concern political figures who have an active presence in the public life. In any case, the European Union and the West as a whole have already expressed their position. Respect for democracy and the rule of law should be demonstrated every day.
JOURNALIST: After March 25th and Donald Trump's statements that Greece is an ally, Chevron expressed interest in conducting site-survey activities in the southeast of Crete, which essentially dissect the so-called Turkish-Libyan memorandum. Will this not create further tension?
G. GERAPETRITIS: We always seek to be very cautious, but also to exercise the rights granted to us under international law. And I am really puzzled, because on the one hand we are criticized for being hesitant in exercising these rights, and on the other, we might hear criticism that we are moving hastily when we exercise them. The reality is that Greece, with prudence and wisdom, is making significant progress. Exxon and Chevron are not just energy companies. They carry geopolitical weight, even within the United States. And everyone can understand what the presence of companies in Greece right now means. It is, in fact, a seal of success for the Greek economy, for political stability in the country, but, of course, it also constitutes substantial recognition of Greek foreign and energy policy. We do not intend to diminish any third country’s rights, but we will not tolerate any diminishment of our own rights either.
JOURNALIST: Let us go to the US and the globally prominent issue of Donald Trump’s tariffs. On the one hand, it is an economic issue, but it also touches upon geostrategy. We hear, Minister, and we are surprised to see again scenarios reminiscent of the early last century. Trade wars, which have often led to real wars.
G. GERAPETRITIS: You are right. We are experiencing a situation that hadn’t occurred in decades. Greece is perfectly prepared for all eventualities. Greece has the privilege - one not always guaranteed for all countries - of having a very strong government, political stability and, on the other hand, very strong alliances. Nevertheless, it is obvious that Greece will also suffer the side effects of a trade war, which could, according to classical political economy, lead to phenomena such as recession, inflation, or rising interest rates. It is evident that free trade must be protected. In the specific case of the United States, I believe we were clear. The Prime Minister emphasized it: among allies, solutions should be found. And the solution is not always retaliation or the imposition of restrictions. Primarily, it is the effort to de-escalate crises and to find solutions where there are obstacles in international trade, so that it becomes beneficial for all. A stable and prosperous economy yields dividends both for countries and for citizens.
JOURNALIST: Minister, Greece will assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council in May. What can we expect?
G. GERAPETRITIS: There is a lot to be expected, not only for Greece, but also, I think, on an international level. Our country's presence will be significant. I would like to emphasize that the success of being elected to the Security Council with an almost unanimous vote from all UN member states, during one of the most difficult eras in modern history, actually constitutes a major international vote of confidence for Greece. I would like to thank all the foreign representatives who are here in the audience today for their support in this effort. As an elected member of the UN Security Council, we have one single aim: to unite, not to divide. To bridge the North with the South, the East with the West - and this is what we intend to do. We have already undertaken important initiatives to restore Greece’s role as a stabilizing force in promoting peaceful resolution of disputes.
What has unfortunately been lost - and this harms not only the perception but also the institutional authority of the United Nations - is the organization’s ability to provide solutions to major and pressing global problems.
What we need today is a dynamic presence of international multilateralism. And we will pursue that. Greece will assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council in May, and we will carry out a series of actions in this direction. Among our top priorities are the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children in conflict, and addressing climate change. We are organizing a major event on May 20th in New York, focused on maritime security. For Greece, maritime security is not just a vital, existential issue, due to the large size of the Greek merchant fleet. It is particularly important because maritime security actually safeguards food supply chains, peace, and prosperity in the region. This major event on May 20th will be accompanied by further initiatives and actions in which Greece will take a leading role. Greece wants to play a strong role and I believe we are in a position to do so, because we are honest interlocutors with all parties, both in the Middle East and in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
JOURNALIST: Let’s move to the war in Ukraine. Europe is thinking about sending troops. The Greek Prime Minister has said that we are not sending any. Do we exclude any participation of Greek Forces in the future, within a European context of course?
G. GERAPETRITIS: As you can imagine, contributing to the resolution of the Ukrainian issue is not limited to sending troops on the ground. Countries will be called upon to contribute in various ways. Greece has always stood by Ukraine, regardless of the criticism. We will never apply double standards. By being credible, one can expect their partners to stand in solidarity in case of a crisis. That is why we will stand with Ukraine and contribute in our way. For the moment there is no question of sending troops on the ground. Nevertheless, we will support Ukraine in any way we can, reaffirming our commitment to international legitimacy and national sovereignty and effectively condemning any surge of revisionism in the region and in the world.
JOURNALIST: Your predecessor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a partial EEZ Delimitation Agreement with Egypt. Where do we stand in relation to the remaining delimitation?
G. GERAPETRITIS: You could ask the Egyptian Ambassador who is present here today. Let me just say that Greece and Egypt maintain a strategic relationship of the highest level. We have, dare I say, a brotherly relation with Egypt and we are always in consultations regarding these matters. Ours is a deep, strategic, friendly relationship. We will have the opportunity to extensively consult on many issues. I would like to stress that, apart from the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone, there are many other projects that unite us. I will just mention what I consider the most important one, namely the electricity interconnection between Egypt and Greece. It is a project of great energy and geopolitical importance. It will transport green energy from Africa to Europe, turning Greece into a major energy hub. I would like to highlight the importance of regional projects of this scale. We are certain that through this and other projects developed in cooperation with Egypt we will get tangible results, benefiting not only the two countries but the entire region.
JOURNALIST: The Ministry of National Defense allocated EUR 25 billion for armaments for the next ten years, while Türkiye has been characterized as an existential threat. Do you agree with that?
G. GERAPETRITIS: What I absolutely agree with is that we must always be vigilant. We find ourselves in a part of the world that is being challenged from all directions. Our neighborhood is going through a major crisis in the Middle East. For the first time in the post-war period we are witnessing a conflict in the heart of Europe, in which various interested parties are now involved. We realize how vulnerable our region is. Therefore, we need to stay alert. Greece, stepped up its efforts, after a decade during which we had a reduction in the intensity of our defense capabilities, because of the major financial crisis. During the last six years, we are undertaking efforts to boost our Armed Forces, enhancing their infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. We perceive our National Defense as a leverage for peace. The threats the world is facing nowadays are not limited to war. They cover multiple domains. They include the threat of the climate crisis, food crises, pandemics, migration crises and hybrid cyber security crises. Therefore, at this moment, the existential crises we are facing far exceed the traditional threats.
JOURNALIST: How does it feel to be a Minister of Foreign Affairs in general and, more particularly, in such a volatile environment? Because Greece is no superpower.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It is the worst moment for someone to be Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am not saying that as a sort of personal confession. When I gather with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of other member states, they also share their frustration, as – in a more favorable and secure environment – they would be able to better organize their own diplomatic efforts.
Unfortunately, the way in which foreign policy is being conducted has changed dramatically. First and foremost, there is an absolute lack of predictability. In the past, we would try to make projections, to predict how things would be in the next five, ten or twenty years. But time is now moving at such a speed that it doesn't make sense to even attempt doing so. Instead, what we have to do now is to plan for all possible scenarios. In other words, we must be able to manage whatever comes up. And that could be something absolutely extreme.
That's why we should act with prudence and calmness. That requires a very good knowledge of diplomacy, history, politics, and, above all, a deep sense of the responsibility we all assume. No one can provide solutions in such an unstable geopolitical environment by acting alone, but rather as a group. That is the reason I remain committed to international multilateralism and the international security architecture. I am convinced that only through synergies with other countries, which share the same worldview, believe in international law and international cooperation, can we find real solutions to universal problems.
Because, nowadays, there is not a single point of tension that does not affect the whole planet. And I say this knowing that, in any case, the smallest action can have a disproportionately significant effect. We see, for instance, how a local conflict can destabilize the whole planet.
Currently – and this is one of our main concerns within the United Nations Security Council – what is happening in Africa, and especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the Sahel region, is unprecedented. We are in a situation in which almost all countries find themselves in a state of major crisis. In Sudan alone, there are some 20 million people who are suffering from food insecurity, or find themselves in a state of forced relocation from their homes. We can understand the impact this can have on migration, on security, on the very humanitarian dimension of things.
Therefore, I think that the message is clear. We will have to look beyond our own home at some point, because our home is not the small space that geography assigned to us. Our home is our region and the whole planet. Only if we have this kind of global perspective on the problems that are currently escalating, will we be able to find universal solutions. Because we have to remember that, at the end of the day, this planet does not belong to us alone. That is something I think about every single day.
Today we have here with us the students of the Diplomatic Academy, who will join the Diplomatic Corps in a few months. We must hand over to the younger generations a planet that has a dividend to pay. The overexploitation of capital by previous generations has to stop at some point. This dividend should be one of peace and prosperity. That is the goal we should all be aiming for.
JOURNALIST: Minister, Mr. Gerapetritis, I would like to thank you for our discussion.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Thank you very much.
April 10, 2025