French ambassador in favor of Greek position in East Med – Stresses continued support in Greece and Cyprus

The Greek position in favor of the East Med plan was supported by the Ambassador of France Patrick Mezonav during the briefing he gave to the Greek press on the occasion of the French Presidency of the European Council, while emphasizing France’s continued support on the side of “ally and partner Of Greece “.

“East Med remains an interesting project, but today the economic conditions suggest the search for other ways of supplying energy and especially electricity or liquefied natural gas. It is not the intention to make East Med a strategic or political affair, but to see “Only the facts that show that it makes more sense financially to promote other plans,” said the French ambassador.

Asked (by APE-MPE) about the possibility of a crisis in the East. Mediterranean in the middle of the French presidency replied that “today I have no evidence that would lead me to think that we are going to a crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean”. He recalled, however, “the recent events to which France reacted and did so in a stable and clear manner, supporting Greece and Cyprus.” And if something happens, he added, as in other parts of the world, “we will take our responsibilities and try to give an answer.”

Mr. Mezonav said that it is necessary to have a dialogue with Russia as well as with Turkey. “I believe,” he said, “that we need a dialogue with Russia as well as with Turkey and that is the spirit of the French president ‘s proposals to his partners in 2017 and 2018, considering that the absence of dialogue is detrimental to the interests and “Whether we like it or not, Russia exists, it’s an important force and it’s a significant asset and we believe it is in our interest to talk to Russia.”

On the issue of the absence of Europeans in Russia’s talks with the United States, the ambassador said that he “holds” the clear statement of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman that “we are not talking about Europe without the Europeans, we are not talking about NATO. without NATO representatives “. In this regard, the level of understanding with the Americans is very good, he added, and the US will not hold talks with Russia without the Europeans and NATO allies.

Revision of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration

On the issue of the revision of the EU-Turkey agreement on immigration, Mr. Mezonav, after reiterating that France “was by the side of the Greek allies and held strong positions in support of the Greek partners and Cyprus”, noted that “immigration is part “Given the developments in Turkey today, it seems difficult to have a comprehensive debate with this country, but this debate will come in time, and later in the context of this debate on EU-Turkey relations will be the “It is certain that we need to start the dialogue with Turkey again, but I am not sure that the conditions exist today because today there is a Turkish agenda that does not favor the resumption of talks,” he said.

The French presidency will put on the table for dialogue “as an honest mediator”, as the head of French diplomacy in Greece said, the big issue of the restoration of the Schengen operation, which must return to normalcy with “political will” because it is an “important acquis “and act like the euro with political responsibility. It is an idea that has not yet been formulated but must be put on the table, he noted.

The presidency’s plans also include the promotion of the asylum and immigration agreement, although no comprehensive solution seems to be within the framework of the semester, as the talks are complicated because there are first host countries – such as Greece – transit and destination countries, the interests of which do not necessarily converge. “The idea we want to go through is the management of the EU’s external borders, which is one of the preconditions for European sovereignty,” he said.

However, individual issues can move forward, such as the European harmonization of social benefits for refugees, so that Greece does not attract more, for example, due to higher benefits. The criteria for defining a refugee who differs from country to country in the EU can also be harmonized.

The big issue of the revision of the Stability Pact will also be on the table, as, as Mr. Mezonav underlined, it will be difficult to return to the pre-pandemic situation without serious consequences for economic development. The landscape has changed in the last two years and in the meantime colossal investments are needed to adapt the economy to climate change and to the targets for carbon neutrality by 2050. Colossal investments, as the French ambassador said, are required for the implementation of the digital revolution and noted that you in Greece have been very actively involved in this. It is difficult to meet the Maastricht criteria as set 30 years ago. In the context of these economic needs and the adjustment of the future budget, a special Summit will be held in March, while the investment plan of the European Commission for dealing with the pandemic must proceed.

Referring to European security, he said that everything, health, migration, climate change, converges with the security issues of Europeans. He made special reference to the political-diplomatic crises that existed and will continue, such as the issue of Ukraine, the attitude we will take towards Russia – a major player – and all the security issues raised by the emerging regional powers. He also spoke about North Korea’s missile challenges and the terrorist threat coming from the Sahel, but also from the Middle East, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan. Specifically for the Sahel, he stressed that Europe and Greece realize that part of the security is at stake in the Sahel and this is very useful.

In today’s meeting with the Greek Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister, the French ambassador, according to diplomatic sources, expressed his satisfaction for the fact that “Greece is very active in the Balkans” for which a special conference will be convened in June. “Unfortunately, we see the resurgence of tensions and populist movements that pose a threat to the stability of the region,” he said. “There was a long exchange of views on the future of the Balkans, as well as between Dendia and Le Drian, and in this context we consider it useful to convene a conference in June on this issue.”

“We must not consider the elections in France as an event that could hinder the French presidency,” he said. From March 20 until the end of the elections will be a period of restraint applicable to politicians but after this period during which there will be no ministerial meetings, the agenda of the presidency in May and June will be very busy.

Finally, referring to the EU, he said that it is a force of law and we do not want to establish a force that could be exercised against anyone. We believe that a power in the field of defense and not only is necessary to respect our interests in security, defense, economy.

He expressed his understanding of the reservations of some states in this, but added that we can clarify the terms and reach a common understanding in a world that leaves us no choice as it goes to create new forces.

Source: AMPE