What does the Foreign Minister answer for Libya, Israel, Sinai Monastery etc.
The Foreign Minister interviewed the newspaper “Real News” and journalist Spyros Mourelato. George Gerapetritis.
The whole interview is as follows:
JOURNALIST: When will investigations into the work of the Greece – Cyprus electric interconnection work be resumed? Considering Turkey’s reactions to the field, as well as the neighbor’s non -existent objections to both marine spatial planning and marine parks, how feasible do you consider to maintain calm waters in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean? When will the Supreme Cooperation Council, which is pending?
G. G. The work of the Greece-Cyprus electric interconnection, which removes the energy isolation of Cyprus, will proceed. After all, we have proven – in the field, not in words – with maritime spatial planning, maritime parks and the announcement of land south of Crete that, when we are to exercise our sovereign rights, with a view to national interest and with respect to international law. Obviously we expected them and we didn’t have the illusion that our neighbors would be sent from theories that have been unfounded for decades. Greece’s strong and active foreign policy stimulates reflexes. Greece, however, is not heterogeneous. With the initiatives we have taken over the last two years, we go through the reaction stage in the field of active action, essentially improving our position in the Aegean and Eastern Europe. And all this while minimizing violations of national airspace and irregular migratory flows in the Aegean, thanks to a structured relationship we have developed with Turkey, without ignoring our substantive differences. In this context, we are in search of suitable date for both sides to convene the next Supreme Cooperation Council.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned about the information that the Hafett Hafett side is ready to validate the illegal Turkolibyan memorandum? How do you mean about the functional relationship with Libya, which you said in your recent interview?
G. G. Let’s look at the data. We have restored communication channels with both sides, eastern and western Libya, we are perhaps the only European country to do at the highest level. We are constantly strengthening our bilateral transactions. We are starting technical discussions on EEZ delimitation. Irregular migratory flows from the southern corridor have been reduced by 80%. We continue exchanges of visits at all levels for the development of multifaceted and mutual beneficial relationships.
Indeed, the 2019 Turkolibyyan Memorandum is a thorn in our relationships with Libya. It is obvious that it was ratified by the House of Representatives of Benghazi, although it does not make it valid and substantial because it lacks a completely legal basis, it would burden our bilateral relations. But that has not happened. It should also be reminded that in the call for a tender for marine plots Libya respected the Greek midline. So let’s not be those who expect immigrants, memoranda and drilling to make a digestible opposition on serious issues. The position of Greece as a whole in Libya not only did not retreat, but was upgraded.
JOURNALIST: What do you respond to criticism because of our strategic relationship with Israel? Is our country recognition of an independent Palestinian state?
G. G. Greece maintains relations not only with Israel but also with the whole of the Arab world. We are at the forefront of the efforts to relieve the humanitarian crisis that is taking place, we strengthen the Palestinian Authority as a legal representative of the Palestinians, we insist on the cessation of hostilities and the immediate and unconditional return of the hostages and support the two states of the two states as the two states of the two states. There is no question of whether we will recognize a Palestinian state, but when this will happen in the context of the political process within the UN.
JOURNALIST: Are you optimistic that progress can be recorded on the Cyprus issue after the recent five -member?
G. G. I am pleased and proud of the fact that the Greek Foreign Ministry’s efforts to the United Nations, in conjunction with the Republic of Cyprus, was justified by the restart of informal discussions after seven years of immobility. In this regard, the climate improvement in Greek -Turkish relations was crucial. After the latest informal meeting in an expanded form in July in New York, there is a timetable for the next steps and a list of confidence building measures. We remain committed to achieving a fair, sustainable and operational solution in the context of UN Security Council resolutions. The Cyprus issue is a top national priority and we will make every effort to reunite Megalonissos.
JOURNALIST: Are you worried that the serious political crisis that is unfolding in France can bring additional volatility to the European Union, at a time when important decisions on the “warm” fronts of Ukraine and the Middle East are going to be made? Are you worried about the economic consequences of the French crisis affect the Greek economy?
G. G. France is a barometer for Europe and any internal crisis can potentially have diffused consequences. Europe needs a strong France, especially in today’s age of multiple challenges. I do not, however, appreciate that the Greek economy will be affected, which has now entered the trajectory of sustainable development with widely fiscal management that allows it to produce surpluses, which are distributed to citizens in the context of strict Union restrictions, and to reduce public debt at any rate. Our big weapon is political stability in an environment of general international instability. Greece has learned its lesson in a painful way and, fortunately, it will not be seduced by false apprenticeships.
JOURNALIST: Do you estimate that the intense diplomatic mobility of recent weeks will soon lead to the end of the war in Ukraine? How will our country contribute to Ukraine security guarantees? Is there a possibility of sending Greek soldiers to Ukrainian territory? Are you concerned about Turkey’s apparent involvement in such a process, but also the closer relationship, which seems to build with important European partners, such as France, with a defense industry?
G. G. After almost three and a half years of intense conflict, it is positive that diplomatic mobility is marked. However, we are not yet at that point that we can talk about sustainable peace in the near future. Because beyond the obvious need for dialogue, in order to make real progress, it is important for the conditions under which the discussions and the proposed terms of peace take place. In principle, no debate may not include Ukraine itself because, we must not forget that we are talking about an aggressive war that constitutes a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. So, the aim should be to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the defense.
Greece on the subject of Ukraine, as in all the zealous issues that are plaguing the world, has reserved a stance in favor of international law. I believe that this attitude is not only dictated as a moral imperative but is also absolutely advantageous to national law. Those who are naive and dangerously consider our consistent attitude as wrong, let them know that, if we deviate from the position of universal superiority of international law in favor of a transactional foreign policy, it becomes vulnerable to invoke international law in our national issues.
We will continue to support Ukraine in international forms and be actively present with humanitarian and development aid, but there is no intention of joining security guarantees. Turkey has the second in size of NATO army and an independent defense industry, which offers it greater opportunities to participate in relevant ventures. This does not mean that we should be shared at the basis of what another country chooses to do, nor do we get into witch hunting. Greece has a large international diplomatic capital that, combined with a durable economy and enhanced defense, allows us to have prestige and vigor. If one measures our international alliances and our speech in international organizations he will immediately understand what I mean.
JOURNALIST: We watched the previous 24s in the Sinai Monastery. You welcomed your Egyptian counterpart in Athens in early August. Are we close to an agreement to settle the legal status of the Sinai Monastery?
G. G. We do not have involvement in the internal ecclesiastical issues of the monastery, which we closely monitor. They are, of course, the risk of further complication of a case we are trying to manage, in cooperation with the Authorities of Egypt. With my Egyptian counterpart we had a productive debate during his visit to Athens on the guarantee of the rights of the Monastery of St. Catherine and maintaining its character. Anyone can understand the complexity of the issue, since in 15 centuries of operation of the monastery there has been no legal regulation to ensure it. As with many other issues, we attempt to resolve timing issues that have become more difficult over the years. And it is important – and at all self -evident – that the Greek state is actively involved in this debate with the Egyptian side.
JOURNALIST: Do you think the excellent level of Greek -American relations in the last years can be maintained in the presidency of Donald Trump at least? How would you characterize your relationship with your American bond, Marco Rubio?
G. G. Our relationship with the United States has a strategic character that exceeds faces. For this reason, our channels run for government and House at all levels. I was one of the first foreign ministers to meet with Mr Rubio in Washington, just weeks after taking up his duties, and we met in The Hague again. Our relationship is excellent. I also met with the Presidents and Vice -Presidents of the relevant Foreign, House and Senate Committees, expatriate MPs and members of the Administration. I find it a given to preserve and deepen these relationships.