JOURNALIST: We are witnessing dramatic developments in recent days. The European structure of peace and security achieved after World War II is under threat. Is the European Union united on the issue of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine? What is the position of our country and what provisions does it make for the Diaspora Greeks of Mariupol?
N. DENDIAS: The stance of the European Union has already been demonstrated. First, Russia's recognition of the “independence” of the territories not under the control of the Ukrainian government in Donetsk and Luhansk and then the Russian attack on Ukraine were condemned by the International Community, including our country, as a flagrant violation of International Law. As noted in the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia's attack on Ukraine is a flagrant violation of International Law and world Values and undermines European Peace and Security. Respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all the states of the world, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, is a fundamental and inviolable principle for us. At the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council convened in Paris on Tuesday, the 27 EU Foreign Ministers unanimously decided to impose a first round of restrictive measures against Russia and the territories not under the control of the Ukrainian government. Subsequently, at the extraordinary European Council last Thursday, in which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated, guidelines were given for additional measures, which were ratified by yesterday's extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, the third one in a week, in which I participated. Greece is in full coordination with its partners in the Union and its allies in NATO. In the Council, I pointed out to my colleagues that Greece has a special interest in Ukraine and especially in Eastern Ukraine, where a large Greek community has been living for centuries, and which is literally in the line of fire. Both Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I, at my recent visit to Mariupol, stressed that Greece will stand at their side. We closely follow the developments and for this purpose we have already increased the staff of our Consulate General in Mariupol, and our Embassy in Kiev and the Consulate General in Odessa provide all possible assistance to Greek citizens wishing to leave Ukraine.
JOURNALIST: Minister, some have argued that following your meeting with the Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, you assured that Russia will not invade Ukraine. Is that true?
N. DENDIAS: This claim has nothing to do with reality. What I said, responding to a relevant question, is that Mr. Lavrov gave me this assurance. Surely it was not my own assessment. Let me also remind you that the same assurance was given by the President of Russia, Putin, to the President of France, Macron, during their meeting in Moscow. Of course this does not mean that I was convinced by the assurances of my Russian counterpart. Besides, if I were convinced, what would be the reason to instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue two announcements-instructions to Greek citizens to immediately leave Ukraine or not to travel to this country?
JOURNALIST: Minister, do you think that Turkey’s conduct will change, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in what direction? Will it be an attempt to lower tensions in its relations with Greece, its ally in NATO, and seek a rapprochement with the West, or an attempt to copy Russia’s tactics?
N. DENDIAS: I am hopeful that the latest dramatic developments in Ukraine will make Turkey reflect upon the importance of upholding International Law and consolidating genuine alliances in the region. That will only benefit the Turkish people and the significant part of Turkish society which still looks forward to its European perspective. On the other hand, it will only be detrimental for Turkey to try to gain from this situation in an opportunistic way, at a time when the whole world is particularly sensitive to the issue of compliance with International Law and the inviolability of borders. In any case, we remain vigilant. Greece was, is and will be determined to defend its national sovereignty and sovereign rights.
JOURNALIST: It is the first time that Turkey challenges our national sovereignty in the Dodecanese at such a high level and in such an emphatic way. Where do you attribute Ankara's strident rhetoric and what are the Greek government’s next steps in response to this escalation?
N. DENDIAS: The recent statements by Turkish officials questioning Greek sovereignty over the Aegean islands are not only incompatible with fundamental principles of International Law, but they also defy all logic. And they are not unacceptable to us only. They have also been rejected, through unequivocal statements, by partners and allies, such as the EU, the US and the United Kingdom. I find the fact that this escalation is taking place at a critical time for NATO solidarity and cohesion and in a period when this solidarity needs to be demonstrated in every way, as particularly regrettable and a trait of Turkey’s firm policy of applying pressure. Our country has repeatedly and publicly expressed its position regarding Turkish claims about the status of the Aegean islands, which we reject in their entirety.
Greece always responds and will continue to respond to Turkish provocations, on the basis of the fundamental principles of International Law and especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). There will be a letter addressed to the UN Secretary General in the very near future. Finally, I should point out that the universality of this Convention is evidenced by the fact that 168 parties, including the EU, have ratified it. Even the United States, which has signed it but has not ratified it, cites it as the basis of International Law of the Sea.
JOURNALIST: President Tayyip Erdoğan visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and signed a series of agreements, while the President of Israel is visiting Ankara. Is Turkey’s isolation from countries in our wider region “breaking”? How does our country view this?
N. DENDIAS: In recent years, Greece has further strengthened its alliances and partnerships by pursuing an active foreign policy based on respect for International Law, and in particular the International Law of the Sea. By contrast, Turkey, in blatant violation of International Law, continues to act as a destabilizing factor with serious consequences on peace and security in the wider region. The start of talks between Turkey and those countries that agree with Greece that International Law is the only basis for resolving differences between states is desirable for us. We consider it to be particularly important that Turkey maintains channels of communication with countries that apply fundamental principles such as the International Law of the Sea and at the same time promote the principles of the United Nations Charter. In this context, we do not aspire to exclude Turkey from the security architecture of our wider region. But we are adamant about one condition: its inclusion should be achieved exclusively under the terms of International Law.
JOURNALIST: It’s been exactly 13 months since the resumption of exploratory talks with Turkey. Has any progress been made? Do you think that they will continue for a long time?
N. DENDIAS: A few days ago, the 64th round of exploratory talks took place, talks which constitute a channel of communication with the neighbouring country. Exploratory talks are not negotiations. It is a technical and informal non-binding discussion channel. If and when there are convergences, then at a later stage there will be either a negotiation or an agreement to refer the matter to The Hague, always on the basis of International Law.
That was the framework set and that continues to be. It concerns a discussion on the delimitation of maritime zones in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. However, I cannot say that I am optimistic. As long as the provocative actions and statements by Turkey do not stop, there will be no chance of making progress.
JOURNALIST: The EastMed gas pipeline does not appear to be progressing. Is “energy diplomacy” in the Eastern Mediterranean still active and bearing fruit?
N. DENDIAS: The reasons for the specific approach on the part of the USA for the EastMed pipeline were not political, but they had to do with environmental facts and issues of economic viability. The United States have not questioned the route of the EastMed pipeline, and for this reason, for instance, they support the EuroAsia Interconnector project, which follows a similar route to the East Med. In any case, we support the European Union's aspirations for energy autonomy. Europe today is facing an unprecedented rise in energy prices due to political, geographical and economic factors. Our country, through initiatives and regional schemes, is becoming a powerful gas and electricity hub in Europe. I would like to specifically mention the liquefied natural gas terminal of Alexandroupolis, which together with the upgraded LNG terminal of Revythousa give our country the role of a natural gas transit hub.
JOURNALIST: Alexis Tsipras, taking the floor in Parliament, accused the government that it includes Alexandroupolis “in American operations and in fact with nothing in return”. He also essentially announced that he would vote against the amendment of the MDCA. Is the Greek-US relationship really unbalanced, as the main opposition party alleges?
N. DENDIAS: Of course, this is not an unbalanced relationship. The amendment of the Greece-US Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement is the legal imprint of the common will of the two countries to deepen their historical ties of friendship and strategic cooperation. The agreement takes our relationship to “new heights”, to borrow a wording used by my US counterpart, Mr Blinken. In terms of content, the agreement is purely defensive and is not directed against any third party. The United States chooses Greece as one of the few European countries in which they invest in defence and this is a confirmation of our country's strategic and stabilizing role in the Balkans and the Middle East. At the same time, the presence of American forces on Greek soil further shields our country from external threats; the explicit reference, in the preamble of the agreement, to mutual protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of attack or threat of attack is indicative in this regard. And since you made a special mention of Alexandroupolis, I would like to point out the great contribution of this agreement to highlighting the geopolitical importance of the city's port.
JOURNALIST: Following the extension of territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, will there be a similar move in the Aegean and the Cretan Sea and what will the schedule of such an action depend on?
N. DENDIAS: In January 2021 I had the honor to submit to the Greek Parliament the bill for the extension of territorial waters from the Ionian Sea down to Cape Tainaro from 6 to 12 nautical miles, a bill that was approved by the overwhelming majority of parliamentary parties in a climate of national solidarity. With this law, Greece increased, for the first time since 1947, its area of national sovereignty by more than 13,000 square kilometers, by peaceful means and on the basis of International Law, exercising its inalienable right granted by Article 3 of UNCLOS. It was a moment of historical significance. Greece did not simply declare a right of its own, but exercised it in practice. At the same time, we have started the technical processes in order to be ready to proceed with the extension of our territorial waters to 12 nautical miles to other areas of the territory as well. We reserve the inalienable right to do so in other parts of our territory, whenever we deem it appropriate. It will be up to us to decide where and when.
JOURNALIST: Minister, immediately after the extraordinary Council last Tuesday you travelled to Senegal. What is the significance of this visit?
N. DENDIAS: Mr. Papachlimitzos, the Greek presence in Africa, through the Greek community, was and remains important. But unfortunately, the Greek state was not always present. We are trying to fill this gap. I have already visited seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that Greece does not have a colonial past is undoubtedly a key element. Senegal is a very important country in French-speaking West Africa. That is why I inaugurated our Embassy in Dakar during my stay there. The country plays an important role in the wider Sahel region and recently took over the Presidency of the African Union, in which more than 50 countries participate. Developing contacts with both Senegal and Cape Verde is also important in the context of our candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. We have now secured over 100 support pledges in writing. It was no coincidence that both Turkish President Erdoğan and German President Steinmeier visited Senegal the day before my arrival.
Concluding, I would like to make a special mention of the historic figure of the President of Senegal, Leopold Senghor, who was an admirer of the ancient Greek philosophers, which indicates the impact of Greek culture worldwide.
February 26, 2022