«OR Greeceover the last two years has chosen a very specific path to enhancing its position in the world, the development of strong international alliances and, on the other hand, an active diplomacy“, The foreign minister said George Gerapetritis In an interview with Naftemporiki TV.
Said that ‘We have shaped with Turkey a functional relationship and there is a structured dialogue, which continuedI.
As he recalled, we had a meeting of political dialogue and discussions on the basis of the positive agenda, so there are channels to avoid tensions and judgments and added:
«We do not have any spectacular development for the major, that is, the issues related to the boundaries of the maritime zones, which would be the big capital. But, on the other hand, let’s not forget where we were. Today we have minimized the airspace violations, we have almost reset them, as we have almost reset the migratory flows from Turkey».
He referred to the marine parks, as well as the call for land for exploitation south of Crete, “where we had the interest of an American colossus, because at the end of the day the sea zones are evaluated by the market itself».
He noted that reactions from Turkey and Libya were expected and “It was something we weighed in, we weighed it and saw that Greece should now be on the steering wheel».
On the one hand, he pointed out, ‘We have succeeded in removing danger tensions and outbreaks, such as immigration and violations, and on the other hand we have reinforced our own position in terms of Greek -Turkish, without any concession at all.».
He pointed out that Turkey’s penetration in Libya has existed in previous years, culminating in the signature of 2019 of the Turkish -tired Memorandum, which was “a significant withdrawal in our relationships with Libya».
«Management I have tried to do for the last two years and, in my opinion, no matter how paradoxical sounds, I feel that management was satisfactory“, He said and added:”All these difficulties in Libya, with the progressive penetration of Turkey, with the Turkish Memorandum, which of course precedes my own term, we did a balanced policy between the two sides».
«We understand that the actions we did, and in particular the marine spatial planning and the notice, annoyed Libya, hence the mission of verbal intercourse to the UN, which were certainly very preceded by my own visit to my visit.».
He noted that Libya respected the Greek midfield when it announced its own plots, while the map, which was sent to the UN, expresses a maximalist position, which has to do with the remote limits of its own continental shelf – EEZ.
«But what at the end of the day judges things is the field itself. So in the field, Greece announced the plots in the midline, in our perception, and Libya also used the midline.“, He said. He also pointed out that after his visit we have a significant reduction in migratory flows and there has been no ratification of the Turkish -tired Memorandum.
«We have developed our channels, we have no withdrawal in any position. The Turkolibyy Memorandum exists, of course, invalid and non -existent, we are constantly saying it. We are willing to start technical discussions with Libya for our own delimitation».
He noted that we have never lost them Haftar and his side. “Today I have direct contact with both General Haftar himself with his three sons, who has been distributed a significant part of power.” He also added that he had direct contact with the Speaker of the House of Eastern Libya, from where he would theoretically pass the issues of boundaries, and therefore the Turkish -tired Memorandum.
He pointed out that ”Chevron is an important factor that can be a private company, but also becomes a geopolitical factor. It is an energy giant who has also expressed interest in Libya. We have no objection to exploitation by Libya. Each country, which is wet by the Mediterranean, has sovereign rights. What we say, however, is that there should be a complete respect for the sovereign rights of the rest of the countries.».
«An energy colossus will hardly invest if it has not weighted the dangers of this investment. And the fact that Chevron is currently accepting the designation of land south of Crete is a vote of confidence in the market for the Greek government and the Greek side».
Regarding the Greece-Cyprus electric interconnection, he pointed out that it continues to be produced by the contractor and “Of course, investigations will continue. The research and case of the cable will be done at the time selected. It is an extremely complex exercise. Is the greatest surface cable that can take place».
He noted that the European Union has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this particular energy project, which primarily concerns the removal of Cyprus’s energy isolation and is therefore a national issue.
«So we have the EU with us, we have all the strong players. If there is obstruction we will evaluate it. My feeling, however».
Regarding Turkey’s Eurofighter agreement, he noted that “we are still at a very early stage.
This order will take many years until it is implemented. It goes without saying that we cannot impose how each country will exercise any rights derived from its defense equipment. “
«This is something that goes beyond us, “he said, but added the following two reservations:” Any equipment is given in a country that is in direct contrast to the national interests of a country of allied, such as Greece, should be expressly ensured that this equipment will not be used at the expense of this country, and it is not to be used, commission».
He noted that we have to look at the big picture, where we were in 2019 and where we are today in relation to defense equipment. He said in defense, in 2019 we were outside the F-35 and F-16 program, while Turkey was in the F-35 program for 100 fifth generation fighters.
Today Greece has the supply of the 24 Rafale, it has the frigates of Belharra, which will be supplied, has already been partially upgraded by the F-16s, while Turkey is outside all programs.
«The last six years has created a status of significant strengthening of Greek defense capacity and this is something that is non -negotiable for us».
Regarding the Safe Regulation, a common equipment program of the European Union – can potentially be any country outside the European Union. This law, as explained under the conditions for the operation of the EU, as interpreted, simply required a special majority. Therefore, given that only Greece and Cyprus were practically opposed to this regulation it was law -abiding that it would pass.
«We managed as Greek diplomacy: first to pass through the Regulation to take into account the national interests of the Member States. And secondly, that in order for a country out of the EU to enter before it has signed a bilateral agreement with the EU. So while it was not foreseen, we have created an additional level of procedure, a safety valve that is a prerequisite for Turkey to enter and every state outside the EU.The Foreign Minister stressed.