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Diplomatic sources: Greece is satisfied with the final text of the ‘Strategic Compass’

Greece is satisfied with the final text of the “Strategic Compass”, adopted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the European Union, according to diplomatic sources, noting that there are clear references to fundamental principles of Greek foreign policy, as well as explicit references to provocative unilateral actions of Turkey

The Greek side expressed its satisfaction with the final text of the “Strategic Compass” of the European Union, which was adopted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of 27 earlier today, as it meets the goals it had set.

Greece was represented at the Foreign Affairs Council by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

The final text is the product of an agreement after many months and painstaking negotiations, which of course were influenced by the developments in Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

The Greek side, in close coordination and cooperation with the Cypriot side, succeeded in introducing a vocabulary that refers both to the short-term challenges, but also to the long-term ones, where in fact there is an explicit reference to Turkey.

In this context, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, in his speech to the Council, stressed that the revisionism and military aggression are a clear threat and a real danger wherever they come from and that they should be categorically discouraged and condemned.

The text contains a clear reference to the fundamental principles that govern Greek foreign policy and that should govern relations between states in general, such as the need for full respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence within internationally recognized borders, as well as the promotion of effective multilateralism and international order based on the rules of International Law and in particular the International Law of the Sea.

At the same time, the text underlines the readiness and determination of the Member States for mutual assistance in the event of a third party attack (Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union)

The text also contains references to the dangers posed by the growing controversy over maritime, continental shelf and growing aggressiveness in the airspace, underlines the importance of protecting cultural heritage and stresses the need for the European Union’s partners to align themselves with Foreign Policy and Defense.

The text contains several important references to Turkey. Particularly:

It is becoming absolutely clear that provocations and unilateral actions against sovereign rights against Member States in violation of international law continue.

It is stressed that these actions can lead to a rapid escalation of tensions in the region. The same applies to the instrumentalization of immigration.

All these actions of the neighbor are explicitly included among the threats and challenges that affect the security of European citizens, the critical infrastructure of the European Union and the integrity of Europe ‘s borders.

In order to promote the cooperation desired by the European Union, there are critical conditions that Turkey must respect.

In particular, Ankara must commit itself to following the path of co-operation, consistent de-escalation and responding to the Union’s concerns, as set out in the Declaration of 27 Leaders in March 2021.

It is recalled that with this Declaration, the Union directly called on Turkey to refrain from provocations, unilateral actions, illegal drilling in violation of international law.

Otherwise, the Declaration recalled that the European Union has the tools and means at its disposal to defend the interests of the Member States and to safeguard regional stability.

It is noted that Greece gave its consent to the adoption of the Compass Strategy and at the same time submitted a unilateral national statement, in which it emphasizes that due to the challenges and threats it has been receiving for a long time, its annual defense expenditures far exceed 2% of GDP, target which goes hand in hand with the reference to the Compass text for an increase in defense spending.

Greece, therefore, has long stressed the need to exempt part of defense spending from public debt rules and hopes that an agreement on this point will be reached as soon as possible.

A similar unilateral declaration was tabled by other Member States.

Finally, it is maintained that the adoption of the Compass Strategy strengthens the efforts made for European autonomy, efforts that our country supports, always in harmony with the strategic relationship it maintains with the United States.

Source: Capital

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