N. Dendias: It is detrimental for Turkey to try to take advantage of this situation opportunistically

“It will only be detrimental for Turkey to try to exploit this situation in an opportunistic way, and while the world public opinion is extremely aware of the issue of observance of international law and the inviolability of borders,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias told “Parapolitical”. In any case, he sent a clear message, “” the guards are aware “and that” Greece was, is and will be determined to defend its national sovereignty and sovereign rights. ”

At the same time, he expressed the hope that the latest dramatic developments in Ukraine will lead Turkey to consider the importance of upholding international law and consolidating genuine allied relations in the region. “Such a thing would only benefit the Turkish people and the significant portion of Turkish society that still looks forward to its European perspective,” he added.

Regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine, he reiterated that it is a blatant violation of international law and world values ​​and undermines European peace and security, and stressed that “respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all “as set out in the Charter of the United Nations is a fundamental and inviolable principle for us.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a special reference to the Greek community in Eastern Ukraine. “Both the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I, during my recent visit to Mariupol, stressed that Greece will stand by them,” he made it clear. He stressed that in the EU Foreign Affairs Council he pointed out to his counterparts that Greece has a special interest in Ukraine as there, and especially in Eastern Ukraine, has lived for centuries, a large Greek community, which is literally on the line of fire.

Asked if it was true that he assured after the meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Russia would not invade Ukraine, Nikos Dendias answered that this claim had nothing to do with reality. “What I said in response to a question was that Mr Lavrov gave me the assurance. It was not, of course, my assessment,” he said. He recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given the same assurance to French President Emmanuel Macron at a meeting in Moscow. “What would be the reason if I had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue two announcements-instructions to Greek citizens to leave Ukraine immediately or not to travel to this country?”.

The Foreign Minister then reprimanded the recent statements of Turkish officials who question Greek sovereignty in the Aegean islands, stressing that not only do they not comply with basic principles of international law, but go beyond any sense of common sense. In fact, he described as “particularly sad and itself a constant policy of pressure from Turkey that this escalation is taking place at a critical time for NATO solidarity and cohesion and at a time when this solidarity must be demonstrated. in any form “. He also said that Greece always responds and will continue to respond to Turkish challenges, based on fundamental principles of international law and in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this context, it announced that there will be He also stressed that “our country has repeatedly and publicly expressed its position on the Turkish objections to the status of the Aegean islands, which we reject in their entirety” and noted that are not just unacceptable to Greece, “they have also been rejected, through categorical statements, by partners and allies, such as the EU, the US and the United Kingdom.”

Nikos Dendias also stressed that Turkey, in blatant violation of international law, continues to act as a destabilizing factor with a serious impact on peace and security in the wider region.

At the same time, it highlighted the role of Greece in the wider region. “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 international law of the sea.”

Answering a relevant question, the minister said that “it is desirable for us to start talks between Turkey and those countries that agree with Greece that international law is the only basis for resolving transnational disputes” and added: “We consider it particularly important to have Turkey’s channels of communication with countries that apply fundamental principles such as international law of the sea and at the same time promote the principles of the United Nations Charter, in this context, we do not expect Turkey to be excluded from the security architecture to one condition: its accession to it to be achieved exclusively under conditions of International Law “.

Asked if progress has been made in the investigative contacts, he replied that as long as the provocative actions and statements by Turkey do not stop, there is no chance of progress.

Referring to the presence of American forces on Greek soil, he stressed that “it further shields our country from external threats and in this regard the explicit reference, in the preamble to the agreement, to mutual protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of attack or threat of attack is indicative.” “. He made special mention of Alexandroupolis, noting “the great contribution of this agreement in highlighting the geopolitical importance of the city’s port”.

Finally, the Foreign Minister referred to the importance of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, on the occasion of his visit to Senegal last week. “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 7 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that Greece does not have a colonial past is undoubtedly an important element, “he noted.

Source: Capital

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