N. Dendias: We are not the ones who decided to cut off communication channels

The clear message that Greece is always open to dialogue, but on the basis of International Law and International Law of the Sea and that “it is not we who decided to cut off communication channels, nor are we the ones who escalate the tension at the rhetorical level”, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in a joint statement with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveni after their meeting in Athens.

Nikos Dendias also stated that “Greece always wants to reduce the tension and to have open channels of communication”, while at the same time he made it clear that “we will always defend our positions and our national and European interests based on International Law and International Law.” of the sea”.

During the meeting, the Greek Foreign Minister briefed his Irish counterpart on what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean, during which he reiterated the firm positions of Greek foreign policy, which are positions based on International Law and International Maritime Law.

“Ireland understands both very well. Besides, it has made a very positive contribution to the formation of UNCLOS and especially to the issues of maritime borders, the continental shelf, the rights of the islets,” he said, adding that he hoped Ireland would continue. to this day, to uphold these principles in all international fora.

In fact, Nikos Dendias thanked Simon Coveni for the information on his visit to the border between Turkey and Syria, together with the Norwegian Foreign Minister. Continuing in the same field, the Foreign Minister expressed the great interest of Greece in what is happening on the border between Turkey and Syria in terms of immigration.

The Foreign Minister also thanked his Irish counterpart for Ireland’s stance on the Cyprus issue. “Your contribution, through your participation in the UN Security Council, is of particular importance,” said Nikos Dendias.

In addition, he thanked Ireland for its stance on the issue of converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

He also referred to the bilateral relations, noting that there are long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries, common values, common perceptions, respect for international law, international law for the sea, respect for human rights, while pointing out that the prime minister is Simon Cowen. of Ireland who after 17 years visits Greece.

Nikos Dendias made special reference to the agreement between the two countries in January for the preparation of a Roadmap for the development of bilateral relations, which contains seven areas of cooperation: Diaspora, migration, transatlantic relations, cooperation in the UN, trade, economy, culture.

The two Foreign Ministers emphasized during their meeting the “very large margins for improvement” of economic and trade relations, with Nikos Dendias emphasizing that “we are very interested in approaching Irish investments in Greece and we would also like Ireland to become a place where Greek companies can easily operate “. He also found that more and more Irish people prefer Greece for their holidays.

In addition, they discussed the cultural cooperation between the two countries as well as how Greek students can find their way to internationally renowned Irish universities. At this point, Nikos Dendias thanked his Irish counterpart for the fact that Greek has been taught in Dublin since 1952.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs did not fail to mention the 100th anniversary of the publication of the “monumental novel” Ulysses by James Joyce, an “ardent scholar” of Greek letters, a well-known philhellene and a on social media, that James Joyce had hoisted the Greek flag in his apartment in Paris.

They then discussed the relations between the two countries with their large expatriate populations and how they can work together on this and how they can benefit from each other’s experience.

Regarding the cooperation between the two countries in the EU, Nikos Dendias characterized it as very close and stressed that there is identification on many issues. In this light, the Foreign Minister reiterated Greece’s position on the implementation of the Protocol between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. “An attitude that is based on the spirit of community solidarity, but also on the need to comply with what is agreed in the framework of international law. We want the Protocol to be implemented in a consensual, constructive, non-confrontational way, which will allow daily life to continue smoothly.” , explained.

Afterwards, the Foreign Minister reminded that the two countries have a mutual cooperation and mutual support for candidacies in the UN Security Council and expressed Greece’s satisfaction that Ireland is a member of the UN Security Council and stated that our country wants to draw from the experience of Ireland.

Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nikos Dendias noted that the two countries have an identical position, which they have condemned from the very beginning, while at the same time emphasizing that both countries condemn the revisionism wherever it comes from.

The joint interview was followed by a working lunch, with the Acropolis in the background, during which the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on regional developments.