The meeting of the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense is in full swing (KYSEA), with the main object being the country’s equipment planning at a depth of 12 years.
It is the most ambitious plan of reinforcing the Armed Forces after the crisis of the past decade, which Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described as an investment of “more than 25 billion euros”, which introduces defense policy in a new era and exceeding the supply of weapons of weapons,
The agenda includes the evaluation of strategic options, such as the development of anti -aircraft and anti -Antdrone “Achilles Shield”, the strengthening of the country’s naval potential, as well as the intention of exercising the option for the fourth frigate Belharra. National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias presents in detail the 12 -year planning, with a particular emphasis on the participation of the Greek Defense Industry – at least 25% – on each program.
‘Elephant in the Room’: The electrical interface cable
In the background of the meeting remains the geopolitical critical case of the Greece – Cyprus -Israel electric interconnection cable, which is delayed. The Turkish reaction, both at the diplomatic and operational level, has imposed a cautiousness on the partners, with Israel appearing particularly sparse in its movements and Cyprus reviewing the viability of the project under the present circumstances.
Discussions at the Maximos Mansion have been intensified in the past, with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou having made joint contacts to finalize national positions.
Announced the National Spatial Strategy for the Maritime Space
In the meantime today, our country has already made the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Space, fulfilling its obligation to the European Union and reflecting for the first time in an official European text the potential external boundaries of the Greek continental shelf. In this context, the Minister of Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, is also attending the Foreign Ministry this time.
The map that accompanies it incorporates the existing EEZ delimitation agreements with Italy and Egypt, while for the non -defined areas the midline as a reference basis appears, in accordance with international law.
Government sources note that this is a record of marine activities, not an act of exercising sovereign rights or expansion of territorial waters. The aim is the institutional organization of the marine space for green transition, energy, transport, fishing and tourism, without discounts on standing national positions.
As the same sources say, “that we solve pending does not mean that we are abandoning the Greek -Turkish dialogue. We want a positive climate in relations with Turkey, but without giving up our national rights. “