N. Dendias: We decide when and how we respond to Turkish challenges

“Turkish delinquency, which is part of the general spirit of revisionism and neo-Ottomanism that characterizes the Turkish attitude lately, fully substantiates the Greek arguments,” said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in an interview with Newsbomb.gr.

As he noted, it proves “in practice that the casus belli against Greece is not empty of content, as our country faces a real threat from Turkey, which is not limited to rhetorical level. And this irreparably exposes Turkey itself internationally.”

However, Mr. Dendias clarified, “Greece reacts calmly, it does not succumb to the temptation to respond in the same way”. “We decide when and how to respond to Turkish provocations. We do not engage in a rhetorical confrontation, despite the ongoing Turkish provocations, which in most cases also have a personal dimension. We do not refer to individuals,” he added.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the recent reply letter of the Greek Permanent Representative to the UN to the Secretary General of the Organization regarding the alleged obligation to demilitarize the Aegean islands is an example of a sober reaction.

“This letter documents the unfoundedness of the Turkish side’s allegations, legally, historically and on the facts. At the same time, it emphasizes the danger posed by the Turkish unilateral objections, not only for our country, but also for regional peace and security.” , pointed out.

He stressed that it is a conscious and responsible choice of Greece to talk to Turkey, but this “presupposes a radical review by Turkey of its behavior and its full harmonization with the fundamental principles of international law, including the Judiciary.” .

According to Mr. Dendias, “Greece is not defined in terms of its foreign policy, it has its own positions governed by the respect and application of the principles of International Law”, which was also demonstrated by the recent visit of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotaki, in the USA, is now established as a concept in the entire international community.

Asked about the defense agreement with the US, the Foreign Minister replied that “in a critical geopolitical situation, it proves the long-term nature of the US commitment to invest strategically in our country as they recognize Greece as a reliable and consistent partner and factor of stability in the region.” “.

“At the same time, the agreement strengthens the country’s specific weight in NATO. It is also a guarantee of security, as it acts as a deterrent to any revisionist policy,” he added.

In Alexandroupolis, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we have, in addition to the concentration of allied forces and the construction of large energy infrastructures, that will make the region an energy security provider for all the Balkans. He added that proof of the importance of the agreement is the reaction of Turkey, which for its own reasons sees in it an upgrade of Greece, something that works as a counterweight to its own influence and halt in its revision policy.

Regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to the USA, he noted that “his speech in the Congress is the culmination of the excellent relations between Greece and the United States in recent years”, as “it was a historic opportunity to hear the Greek positions in the most powerful Legislature country worldwide “.

“Perhaps the most important benefit for us is that it has been established in the American leadership, as well as in the US political world, that Greece is a key country for peace and stability in our wider region,” he stressed.

He pointed out that in all the meetings in Washington there was an opportunity to be informed about the Turkish delinquency and provocative behavior, while Greece received a vote of confidence from the US administration in our declared strategy to become an energy hub in Europe.

“In an ever-changing international system plagued by challenges such as the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis, the excellent relations between Greece and the United States can be a legacy for the future,” he said.

Mr. Dendias clarified that the Greek and Russian people are connected by historical ties of friendship that have endured over the centuries, while the link between the two is the Greek community, which has lived in Russia for centuries.

“I want to believe that the ties between the two peoples will be maintained even after this adventure of war is over,” he added, noting that Greece followed a principled stance as it backed its allies and allies in illegally invading Ukraine. “respecting and defending international law and the principle of independence and territorial integrity, as you would for any other country.”

Unfortunately, as he stressed, the Russian leadership, with its interventions and statements, such as that of the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, is sharpening bilateral relations, an aggravation for which Greece bears no responsibility.

Referring to the accession process of the Western Balkans, the Foreign Minister pointed out that “it is the only safe way for peace, stability, reforms and prosperity”, but for the EU, their accession “is above all a geopolitical policy. necessity”.

“It is important that we do not allow a ‘vacuum’ to be created on the map of Europe, which will try to fill a revisionist force with hegemonic ambitions and a destabilizing agenda,” he said.

“Greece does not view its Balkan presence as a ‘condemnation.’ area “, noted Mr. Dendias.

“Today we are working hard to achieve this goal, sending a two-way message. On the one hand, to our European partners, whom we call on to show greater courage and give new impetus to the enlargement process. Do not see this issue only in its techniques. “leaving aside its historical and geopolitical dimension,” he said, adding that deciding to start accession talks with Albania and northern Macedonia would be a decisive step in that direction.

On the other hand, the message he conveys to the region during his visits to the region is “to continue to consistently fulfill the prerequisites of their European course, to implement the necessary reforms, to observe good neighborly relations and their contractual obligations, to resolve their bilateral issues under International Law “.

“To channel all their energy in this direction and not in unhistorical efforts to raise non-existent issues,” the foreign minister concluded.