JOURNALIST: Minister, thank you very much for your interview with "N". We are just before the elections in Greece and just after the elections in Türkiye. What are your thoughts on the first round of Turkish elections, and what will it signal for Greek-Turkish relations?
N. DENDIAS: “Mr. Psylos, we were not surprised by Erdogan's ascendance in the first round of Turkish elections; in fact, we had signs that it would occur, given how difficult it is to measure voting trends in eastern Türkiye. Undoubtedly, we are following developments closely. It is not appropriate to rush to draw conclusions from any political development. In an election, I believe, that we should look not just at quantitative data, but also at qualitative characteristics of the results, which are usually of higher interest. In this regard, an interesting aspect of the election outcome is how it will shape Türkiye's domestic political landscape, which, in turn, will influence its foreign policy planning. For us, it would be a welcome development if Türkiye were to move away from the logic of revisionism and neo-Ottomanism and demonstrated a sincere willingness to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue to resolve our sole dispute over the delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ on the basis of International Law and the International Law of the Sea. For our part, it is an obvious obligation of our country to cooperate with the leadership chosen by the Turkish people, and we will do so. We always work to enhance our bilateral relations, without that meaning that we do not prepare for the undesirable possibility of tension.”
JOURNALIST: You have said that Athens "wishes for a stable, prosperous, democratic, pro-Western Türkiye". Can this be achieved?
N. DENDIAS: "This is one of our country’s firm positions which is not related only to Türkiye, but also to all our neighbouring states. We want them to be stable, with functional democratic institutions, with the Rule of Law, with respect for human rights. We want them to grow economically and improve their citizen’s living standards. We want them to make progress towards their European integration, which is, after all, their stated strategic objective. And, of course, we want them to recognise International Law as the sole framework for resolving disputes. Because we know that every step that our neighbouring states take in this direction contributes to consolidating regional stability and creating better conditions for understanding and cooperation, and therefore it is in the interest not only of our neighbours, but also of our country. For this very reason, we, as Greece, are ready to support every such step forward, just as we are ready to assess every step backwards as well. In any case, of course, the direction in which each country in the region will move is mainly and above all up to it."
JOURNALIST: Minister, it is our firm national policy line that our sole dispute with Türkiye concerns the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone. But that means that we must first define our territorial waters at 12 miles. Is this a panacea or can we accept different positions?
N. DENDIAS: “Mr.Psylos, your question gives me the opportunity to clarify this once again: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea explicitly stipulates that every state has the right to extend its territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles. This is a unilateral, inalienable, and non-negotiable right; which means that it is up to our country to decide when, where and how will it exercise it, with the sole aim of defending its national interest."
JOURNALIST: I do not know how optimistic we can be, as 64 rounds of exploratory contacts with Ankara have been held since 2004 without any substantial outcome. Do you believe that we can soon move from exploratory contacts to a formal dialogue with Türkiye? And on what basis?
N. DENDIAS: "These contacts were initiated with the intention of serving a specific objective of the time, namely the referral to The Hague by 2004. They did not produce as much as one may have hoped. For this reason, as I have already stated, I will recommend to the Prime Minister some modifications to the process, which, I believe, could be made. Modifications which, of course, will be within the framework of our firm positions. They will be aimed at the necessary renewal of the overall process, possibly increasing the prospects for a better outcome in the attempt to launch a formal dialogue with Türkiye, based on International Law and the International Law of the Sea. No one knows how feasible this is and in what timeframe this could be achieved. But no one can leave the window that has opened in our relations with our neighbour country unexploited. And we ought to make the most of it, so that it can be turned into a door of opportunity for a highly constructive coexistence between the two peoples in the Eastern Meditarranean.”
JOURNALIST: Minister, lately the slogan “No to Prespa of the Aegean” has been heard in some circles: I would like your comment on that.
N. DENDIAS: "Allow me to state that I view it with the same skepticism as I do with all slogans and oversimplifications in foreign policy. I also believe that the debate on the Prespa of the Aegean, that is currently taking place ahead of the elections, is probably confusing. Apart from the continental shelf and the EEZ, there are no other disputes between Greece and Türkiye on which mutual concessions could be made."
JOURNALIST: Do you see any movement on the Cyprus issue following the elections in both countries, Minister?
N. DENDIAS: “Look, it is almost certain that once the two countries' electoral processes are over, we'll be able to speak more freely about this issue. It would be desirable if the good climate prevailing in our relations with Türkiye following the devastating earthquakes, continues after the elections as well. And, as I previously stated, this would possibly open a window of opportunity for the Cyprus issue as well. However, as in the case of Greek-Turkish relations, no one should be naïve or fly in the face of reality about the Cyprus issue. The moves made by the Turkish Cypriot side, even at the lowest political level, or the faits accomplis that are attempted to be created -as in the case of the Greek Cypriot properties in Famagusta- do not allow for much optimism. On the other hand, the positions and efforts of the Republic of Cyprus on this issue are of primary importance. And I have to say that I am already pleased to see the new leadership of the President and friend, Nikos Christodoulides, taking steps to resume the negotiations, with the proposal for a more active involvement of the EU, through the appointment of a political personality who will take the lead, in the direction of breaking the stalemate in the talks, always within the framework of the UN decisions. We, of course, stand by Cyprus and will continue to do so, assisting it in its efforts to avoid and prevent new faits accomplis. The Cyprus problem is a fundamental priority for Greek foreign policy. "
JOURNALIST: Mr. Dendias, one last question: Russia's invasion of Ukraine has upended balances and geopolitical realities in the region and around the world. Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel for a cease-fire followed by a peace agreement?
N. DENDIAS: “As you say, it is clear that Russia's baseless invasion of Ukraine has overturned decades of realities and certainties, the entire security architecture that has prevailed in Europe since 1991, if not before. I can underline and emphasize two points: First, the clear position that Greece, along with its partners and allies, has taken to stand by Ukraine and its people who are fighting for their independence and territorial integrity. In other words, to stand on the side of International Law and the principles and values that we advocate and invoke for ourselves as well. And, at the same time, to hope that at some point there will be a more realistic approach from the invader. Second, in an ever changing international environment, we continue to pursue an active foreign policy, to attempt to broaden our relations and alliances with countries with which we share common principles and values - first and foremost, respect for the borders and territorial integrity of countries, and the resolution of any disputes by peaceful means - so that we, for our part, can contribute to their strengthening and ultimately their predominance, as a common basis that must apply to all, without exception.”
JOURNALIST: Minister, thank you very much for your interview in "Naftemporiki" and we wish you every success on Sunday.
N. DENDIAS: “Thank you, Mr Psilos, for your hospitality in the pages of "Naftemporiki".
May 18, 2023