In an article in “Vima tis Kyriaki”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis describes one composed, holistic diplomatic plan of three consecutive levels implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the last two and a half years.
At first levelthe target was consolidation of calmness in the region, “in a complex international environment and in the midst of two wars”. The minister reminds her Declaration of Athens (Dec. 2023) with Turkey, which was accompanied — as he notes — by minimization of violations of the national airspace, reduction of migration flowsreinforcement bilateral trade and tourism upgrade through fast-track visas. In the same context he includes her rapprochement with Libyawith channels and to Tripoli and to Benghaziflow restriction, midline respect in land announcements and restart technical committees for demarcation of EEZ. “The time in the calm waters”, he emphasizes, contributed to restructuring of the economyin defense reinforcement and in diplomatic upgrade of the country.
The second level it concerns her consolidation of national positions: almost unanimous election of Greece in UN Security Council, strengthening alliances (USA, Israel, Arab world, India, Gulf countries), as well as its regulation European defense so that “our national interests are not disputed”. At the same time, he points out interventions “in the field”: marine spatial planning which captures the ultimate limits of potential continental shelf/EEZ, marine environmental parksand participation of Chevron and ExxonMobil in exploration/mining south of Crete and in Ionian (after demarcation of EEZ with Italy). “The expected reactions do not move us”, he emphasizes.
At third levelGreece seeks capitalization of her upgraded position with major initiatives: suggests creation continuous polymer peripheral shape in Eastern Mediterranean for issues political protection, Immigrant, marine environment protectionbut also demarcation of maritime zones and connectivity. Participation will start from the four neighbors coastal states with which Greece has maritime borderswith possible expansion. Condition: universal acceptance of International Law and complete respect for sovereignty. As long as there is preliminary convergence, it will follow Memorandum of Understanding and first meeting for agenda/prioritization.
Mr. Gerapetritis characterizes the proposal as “first structured plan cooperation of the coastal states” of the region and recalls that the European Council (2/10/2020) was reported to multilateral conferencefor the Southern Mediterranean, which was “never activated”. “It is the time of responsibility and not of evasions”, he concludes, speaking of a Greece that “takes the initiative of movements as a consultative and leading country in the region”.