Speaking to the newspaper Real News, Dendias referred to Ankara's interest in buying new F-16s, his meeting with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken and Turkish provocativeness in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Initially, asked whether the American flirtation with the Turks and with it a new F-16 purchase can be frozen and whether Turkey has been geopolitically strengthened, he replied:
"As I have already underlined in the context of my visit to Washington, I had the opportunity to thoroughly brief my American counterpart Mr. Blinken on the challenges that Greece is currently facing in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. In particular, I referred to the upsurge in Turkish transgressive behaviour. This is at a historical juncture in which NATO must, more than ever before, constitute an unbreakable Alliance. Mr. Blinken was briefed on Turkish provocations for overflights over Greek territory, particularly in populated areas.
I presented my interlocutor with irrefutable evidence of Turkish transgression with maps that clearly illustrate what is happening in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. And as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
In this case regarding the overflights in the space of one day, one illustration is worth 42 thousand words. Of course I also referred to the casus belli as well as the illegal and unsubstantiated Turkish-Columbian memorandum. In the same context, Greece's long-standing position of promoting bilateral relations on the basis of international law and especially the law of the sea was again highlighted, principles which the US fully embraces.
Our country operates on the basis of non-negotiable principles and values, consolidating its position not only vis-à-vis the US but also the entire international community as a reliable ally which respects and applies the laws and rules of international order. In contrast to Turkey, which is an untrustworthy partner with unreasonable demands and does not hesitate at times to break rules solely for its own benefit. I think that this has now become clear to the US leadership and to the entire US political scene. Greece is part of the solution and not part of the problem, unlike its neighbour which, with its revisionist tendencies and its reproachful attitude within NATO, is challenging not only our country but the very unity and future of the Alliance".
"Turkey constitutes a peculiar partner within NATO"
On whether he is worried about a possible "hot summer", Nikos Dendias replied. Unfortunately, the upsurge of Turkish transgression against our country is part of the general climate of revisionism that is currently a key component of Turkey's foreign policy and endangers not only the wider Eastern Mediterranean region but the very nature of the international order. For our part, we have made it clear that the problem with Turkey is not exclusively about Greek-Turkish relations but primarily about the way in which a revisionist power makes unilateral claims against its partners and allies in violation of basic principles of international law. It is not directed against Turkish society, a large part of which looks forward to a European future and embraces European values. However, Greece is on constant vigilance, strengthening alliances and synergies while confirming its long-standing role as a factor of stability and security in the wider region."
On whether there were any commitments from the US side on the issue of Turkish provocativeness, he replied. Our meeting, the second in a few months, which indicates the relationship that has developed, took place in an excellent atmosphere and we are satisfied with its results, but let me point out that it is not for me to refer to the position of the United States on any issue. However, the position of the United States with regard to Turkish provocativeness and the violation of our sovereign rights is a given. There have been several public statements on this issue from the American side. Let me briefly mention the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement and the relevant letters of the US Secretary of State, Pompeo and Blinken.
Let me also add that the response of Congress to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks for itself. It was a unique moment in modern Greek history and, especially for those of us who were fortunate enough to witness it in person, a moving experience that indicates the level of relations between the two countries. Greece's relations with the United States should not be seen in the light of a Turkish-centric approach because then we let the tree cover the forest. These relations have their own dynamics and whether this pleases the Turkish side or not is not our concern."
On Erdogan's veto on Finland and Sweden's NATO membership
Asked what Erdogan is seeking by vetoing Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, the Foreign Minister said. Each state has the right to choose its own path. What I want to underline is that we strongly support this sovereign decision of Sweden and Finland. These countries have made their choice through the proper democratic processes. This is a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threat to their security. And, by extension, to the detriment of European security. Because let us not forget that these are two partner countries of Greece in the European Union that are deeply democratic and respect the principles of international law. The participation of Sweden and Finland in NATO will strengthen us and increase our common security. At the same time it will strengthen the group of democratic countries within NATO that respect international law and condemn the threat or use of force. A group to which the vast majority of allies belong, unfortunately with one exception."
On the war in Ukraine
Regarding the war in Ukraine and whether the fall of Mariupol is a game changer, Mr. Dendias assesses. For the war to end there must be a viable solution, and this cannot be based on the logics of military fait accompli that have been characteristic of other periods of human history. A lasting and viable solution can only be a diplomatic solution that is the product of dialogue and respects the basic principles of international law and can certainly be accepted by the Ukrainian side. Unfortunately, however, it seems that we are still a long way from such a development. In any case, we must be prepared even for a lasting conflict with all the consequences that this will have both for Ukraine itself and for Europe in general. And let me add one more thing. As I said, Greece's stance is a stance of principle. It is not directed against the Russian Society Society which has produced some of the greatest writers, poets and composers. One of them, by many accounts the greatest Russian poet Pushkin, was an ardent supporter of the Greek Revolution and had participated in a meeting of the Society of Friends at its historic headquarters in Odessa."
On energy
Asked how our country can become a gas transport hub to the rest of Europe, Dendias said. It is working systematically and let me say effectively in this direction through a network of strategic infrastructures that have either been built or are being built. Many times in cooperation with other countries in the region, always on the basis of the principles of international law, I could mention here, for example, the liquefied gas station in Revithoussa, the floating terminal in Alexandroupolis with the participation of our neighbours. countries such as Bulgaria, Serbia and North Macedonia the construction of which was recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister the TAP pipeline the interconnecting gas pipelines with Bulgaria (ICB) and North Macedonia the EastMed pipeline the electricity interconnections between Greece and North MacedoniaCyprus-Israel (Euro Asia Interconnecter) and Greece-Egypt (Euro-Africa Interconnecter). These are projects that decisively upgrade Greece's geopolitical footprint and role, particularly in the context of the urgent need for Europe's energy decoupling from Russia. And this was something that was recognised by my American counterpart Anthony Blinken at the meeting we had in Washington where energy issues were thoroughly discussed."
On the Cyprus issue
Finally, with regard to the Cyprus issue and the discussions the Prime Minister had on the issue with the US President, the Foreign Minister said. The report was received with applause. The so-called two-state solution, which is outside the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, is not something that we Greeks alone reject. It is categorically rejected by the entire international community.
Indeed, a few days ago, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry clearly reiterated that her country's position has not changed despite various unsubstantiated, as it seemed, rumours. As far as possible developments are concerned, unfortunately, they do exist but once again Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community are moving in the opposite direction and there are indications that work has resumed in Varosha. If confirmed, this development further removes the prospect of a just and viable solution and certainly constitutes a clear violation of Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789".
Source: cnn.gr
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