o During the pandemic we contributed substantially to the promotion of two Greek-inspired flagship European initiatives, the vaccination certificate, and the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund.
“During the talks with Mr. Blinken, it appeared that Greece-US relations are at their highest level ever. Washington regards Greece as a reliable ally that contributes significantly to the stability and peace in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
o We set up the ETIAS National Unit, through which the modernization of the procedures for managing the transit of third-country nationals is achieved.
“The strategic relationship between Greece and the United States is based on shared principles and values”, stated Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in an interview with the newspaper “Political” and journalist Alexia Tasouli, assessing the US Secretary of State’s visit to Athens.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Blinken visited Türkiye as well at a time when Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is talking about a new page in Greek-Turkish relations. Do the Turkish statements of goodwill sound convincing to you?
The following are some highlights from the interview:
M. VARVITSIOTIS: During the talks with Mr. Blinken, it appeared that Greece-US relations are at their highest level ever. Washington regards Greece as a reliable ally that contributes significantly to the stability and peace in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Our country plays a significant role in international developments, including the war in Ukraine, the energy sector, as well as the European perspective of the Western Balkans. This strategic relationship is mutually beneficial for the two countries that share common principles and values. Simultaneously, discussions are underway in the framework of the Strategic Dialogue to further deepen our bilateral relations in key areas, including defense and the economy. Greece and the United States have always been on the right side of history, defending democracy and freedom while jointly facing major challenges.
M. VARVITSIOTIS: From the very beginning of our mandate, we developed a specific strategy with the main objective of strengthening Greece in the EU and enhancing cooperation with the other member states. This is why I chose to participate in the meetings of the EU General Affairs Council in person, unlike what happened in the past. Today, I can state with certainty that we have managed to upgrade our country’s position in Europe. And you give me the opportunity to recall some of the most significant milestones in our own European timeline.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Varvitsiotis, how do you assess the US Secretary of State’s visit to Athens?
o We created a new mechanism to promote Greek executives to key positions of responsibility in the EU institutions.
As regards Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Varvitsiotis stated that the climate between the two peoples has improved, but in order to truly turn a new page, Turkey needs to stop its provocations towards Greece and demonstrate the necessary respect for International Law.
o We signed a model agreement with Egypt on the employment of agricultural workers in the agricultural production sector.
Greece is currently leaving its own strong mark on European reality and is contributing with a plan and resolve to tackle the major challenges.
o We strengthened our position in the Euro-Mediterranean EU-MED Group.
M. VARVITSIOTIS: From the very first moment we heard the news of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, we immediately rushed with a sense of humanity and solidarity to support our fellow human beings who were in real need. Our country’s responsible and human-centered attitude, also praised by Mr. Blinken, has radically altered Turkish society’s attitude towards Greece. And this is a positive moment because when the climate between the two peoples improves, conditions are formed that could, under certain circumstances, lead to an improvement in relations between Greece and Türkiye. Yet, in order to turn a new page, Türkiye first needs to demonstrate that it wants to do so in practice, namely to stop its provocations towards Greece and demonstrate the necessary respect for International Law. We are not saying ‘no’ to dialogue with our neighbors, but we have made it absolutely clear that we are not negotiating our sovereign rights.
Taking stock of his work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Alternate Minister emphasized that “we have managed to upgrade our country’s position in Europe”.
“We are asking for a new strong mandate to continue our efforts. In the national elections we are called upon to choose between stability and a new adventure, between modern visionary politics and cheap populism”, Mr. Varvitsiotis concluded, summarizing the stakes of the elections.
o We used every European opportunity to internationalize the Turkish provocations.
o We are at the forefront of the debate on the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
JOURNALIST: As this government’s tenure comes to an end, how would you assess your track record in the European Affairs portfolio you are holding in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
