With the European Commissioner Fishing and ocean Kostas Kadimet this morning the Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximus Mansion.
During the meeting the new European Pact for Oceansthe European Commission initiative that is expected to be announced at the 3rd United Nations Conference on Oceans in Nice.
The prime minister underlined the importance of Greece to the protection of the oceans and seas, as well as to maritime security, which is also a priority of Greece’s term as an elected member of the UN Security Council for two years 2025-26.
The issue of the issue was still discussed illegal fishing And the threat it is for marine biodiversity.
The Mitsotakis-and one at the Maximos Palace
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Two days ago, on May 28, we celebrated the 46th anniversary of the signing of the country’s accession treaty to the then European communities, so our common European future is not only a reference point, but also a guarantee of security and prosperity for our two countries.
I am very pleased that we are given the opportunity to discuss an extremely interesting and, dare say, a critical portfolio you have taken over and I think this meeting is taking place at a very interesting time, as we will be in more than a week in Nice, in a very important international.
It is the 3rd UN Conference on the Oceans and it is an opportunity at national and European level to promote our positions for a thorough approach to ocean and seas.
Greece, as you know, is one of the first countries to have recently ratified the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity in the Seas and we will also submit the validation to the UN before the Nice Conference. It is an agreement that, as you know and have said, is a historic milestone for protecting seas and oceans.
And of course, we have also moved to close some pending issues that come from the past – you know well – about maritime spatial planning, fully in line with European legislation. You have become a society of our recent decisions.
And of course, Greece wants to be at the forefront of protecting the very special biodiversity of the Greek seas, with the creation of new protected areas, by limiting that fishing that does great damage to the marine environment within the protected areas, with a detailed strategy for reducing plastics.
We are both countries that are surrounded by the sea and see our marine ecosystem not only as one, I would say, a legacy of our identity, but also as a protection obligation for future generations.
So, I want to welcome you again and I look forward to our discussion very interesting.
Kostas Kadis: Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, for your introductory comments, but also for the hospitality and thank you and the ministers of your government, with whom we have already begun a constructive cooperation.
I fully recognize the importance of my own portfolio for Greece. We all know that the maritime element is an integral part of the country’s identity. We are aware of the importance of the sea for the sustainable development of the country and I would like to emphasize that you can rely on the aid that the European Commission can provide so that Greece can implement all these policies that are intertwined with sustainable development.
Beyond that, I want to greet and express my satisfaction with a series of initiatives that Greece has taken lately and are intertwined with my own and my portfolio.
To welcome the ratification of the contract for the maintenance of biodiversity in the areas beyond national jurisdiction, an extremely important agreement, and to express my satisfaction with the fact that Greece was among the first countries to ratify the contract.
I also wanted to express my satisfaction and congratulate you on the initiatives you have taken in relation to the areas of maritime protection. In the way you have announced it and with the prospects as prescribed, I think these areas can be a role model for other European countries as well.
Beyond that, I would like to express my satisfaction with the step that Greece has taken in relation to maritime spatial planning and say that this step leads to harmonization with the relevant directive, the maritime spatial planning directive, which fully respects the sovereign rights of the Member Law and especially by the United Nations Law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
I would like to assure you that I personally and the services of the Commission will be available to the Greek Government to complete this plan, but mainly then for its implementation.
We have a very important initiative ahead of us, as you have mentioned. We are in the final stages of shaping the Oceans Pact, which will be announced by President Von Der Leyen at the United Nations Summit for the Oceans, Nice.
And it will be, I consider, a landmark for the rational management of our oceans, so that we can protect our biodiversity, our marine ecosystems, and to take the oceans from the oceans, to use the huge potential that the oceans can offer in the context of blue growth.
So I want to thank you and look forward to our discussion afterwards.