Greece has “an excellent relationship with the new US administration,” the foreign minister said George Gerapetritis In an interview with the “Parapolitika” radio station.
As he recalled, he himself was between of the first who met the US Secretary of State In the State Department for “an extremely productive discussion”, then they were re -found in Brussels.
‘We have developed a consistently good relationship, There are communication channels and, above all, there is a serious understanding, A serious relationship, which looks – not only in the past and the relationship that has developed between the two leaders in President Trump’s first term – mainly in the strategic defense relationship that has developed between Greece and the United States and, above all, in the common interests that exist in large. “
As he pointed out, ‘Greece is currently located In the hard core of the European Union And it is taking critical initiatives for transatlantic relationships on the other hand. He is at the United Nations Security Council, co -operating international politics, in itself, is a very powerful factor that would make anyone want to have our country closely. “
There will be Mitsotaki-Trump meeting in due time
Responded to George Gerapetritis on, He noted that there will be a “in due time” meeting of the Greek Prime Minister and the President of the United States, while we are currently in the process of multiple consultations on various issues.
Is already structured The relationship from the first term of the US president. I think this will be confirmed when there is the second meeting. ” He pointed out that the channels had been cultivated before the US election.
“At this stage of diplomatic history, there is an absolute inability to predict things. International multiples has become extremely unpredictable. What a prudent foreign policy has to do is to process all possible scenarios. And we had done this in time. And I think it turns out in practice. “
Noted that ‘the relationship that may exist between the US president or the new American administration with Turkey It’s a reality. “
But, he added, I feel that since the first Trump term, many things have changed compared to regional balances in the area.
‘They have emerged The two great wars, which plague our wider region. Change the data. The constant value is that value, which is based on a stable governance, based on principles, based on international law and, above all, an external policy, which broadens its imprint. “
THE K. Gerapetritis He said that in six years, the Mitsotakis government has managed and brought significant strategic cooperation agreements.
“We have grown our regional power. We are perhaps the only country, which maintains a strategic relationship with Israel, but excellent relations with the whole Arab world. We have strategic alliances, beyond the United States, both with France and with other forces. So we realize that this multiplies our power. “
Will proceed to the cable pont the cable
With reference to the cable pontizing For the Greece-Cyprus electric interconnection, He expressed confidence that he would proceed, and reminded that he was a project co -financed by the EU, “which is protected by international law, in the sense that this research and pontism is free, does not require permission”/
“The timing is multifactorial. It is not only dependent on the planning of the company, which should be done. It also depends on the technical details, which determine the issue of exit to research and pontization, because there is also the need to issue the necessary NAVTEX. “
Noted how ‘there is no fear at all’, But he added that “we always measure the facts, count the intentions and measure reactions and always in relation to how it will result as much as possible for our foreign policy.”
“The project will proceed, it will be done in time, which is the right one. We all understand, however Since there is to be researching and pontizing in maritime areas, which have not been delimited and there are claims by Turkey, it is obvious that this could create friction, “he said.
“This is also the reason why Greece, as well as all countries in the region, for the benefit of regional stability, should delineate their maritime zones.”
‘We are strongly supporting and with seriousness of our sovereign rights’, The minister said. “We have already done so in the case of the assignment of Chevron and Exxon, two world energy giants. We will also do so with the maritime spatial plans, which are long -term. Greece will proceed without any phobic syndrome. “
The Greek-Turkey Supreme Cooperation Council will take place this year
Mr. Gerapetritis pointed out that “No Ice” and “the Greek -Turkish dialogue continues normally”, which has brought very significant results in cases of violations, in cases of immigration and in the case of Cyprus.
“The peculiarity at this time is that this dialogue is structured and constant. The big pillars of dialogue, which are political dialogue, confidence building measures and positive agenda, continue normally. “
“There will be the Supreme Cooperation Council, which will take place in Ankara. There was never a specific time planned. It will be done when the programs of the two leaders allow and it is considered that time is the right one. However, the dialogue has not frozen, continues normally and the two leaders’ meeting will take place this year. “
He recalled that when he began a two -year Greek -Turkish dialogue before two phases. The first phase was to build trust, which had been substantially broken.
“We have invested both countries in a dialogue that will be organized, relying on specific pillars, with timetables, with owners. This has progressed significantly and we are already seeing these results. Confidence in part has been restored. Obviously there are the great historical burdens of the past. “
“The second phase provided for the debate on the only issue, which can be resolved before international justice, which is the demarcation of continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. At this stage we have not yet entered. It is the prerequisite to be able to have a common perception of the range, “he said.
He added that there is a distance in the basic position that has to do with the range of the difference and reminded that the debate over the delimitation is looking for more than 20-22 years.
“For 22 years we had absolutely no progress. Rather, I would say, historically appreciating the situation, that we had a regression. No one would expect that in a year and a half we could have the solution. “
“Turkey’s claims, which have to do with demilitarization, with the gray zones, with the blue homeland, look decades, are not current,” he said. ‘The one that matters, It is that these issues are no longer discussed. Greece has made it clear that Greece is never going to discuss any issues about its sovereignty and the issues related to the structure of the Armed Forces. “
“It is something that concerns only Greece. As well as the issues that have resolved international law in relation to the sovereignty on the islands. They are issues that are not discussed. Therefore, these issues are not the subject of a Greek -Turkish dialogue, “he said.
With regard to the government’s decision that says Turkey is in the national list of safe third countries He noted that it was reissued following a decision by the Council of State, so that its reasoning could become more fully.
“Turkey is a safe country for citizens of third countries, who are in its territory, for example Syros. That is, it does not overall appreciate whether Turkey is a country that applies rights policy horizontally or if it is a country, which adopts the basic maps of rights, “he noted.
This, he explained, has a practical consequence, in the sense that if the country is safe for citizens of these third countries, it is possible to refund if the conditions for asylum is not met. “
‘So it’s a matter of purely migratory and purely concerning any returns, which will be done if not asylum is granted, “he concluded.