JOURNALIST: Minister, what do the two recent Agreements with France and the USA mean for Greece?
N. DENDIAS: In principle, these Agreements further shield our country from external threats, wherever they come from. However, as I have repeatedly emphasized, they are not directed against anyone. They are purely defensive in nature. For this reason, we are surprised by the particularly strong reaction from Turkey, which in recent weeks has escalated the provocative rhetoric against our country. This rhetoric is both unacceptable and unjustified; unless Turkey perceives itself as an aggressor. But allow me to make two broader remarks on the Agreements with France and the United States.
Firstly, both Agreements are major milestones in the context of the wider effort we are making to consolidate security and stability both for our country and for the wider region, always on the basis of international law. These Agreements are to be added to the series of Agreements that have been concluded by the Mitsotakis government in the last two years. The safeguarding of national interests in practice and the expansion of our collaborations and alliances has been and remains the key axis of our country’s foreign policy.
Secondly, the United States and France, the largest military powers of the West, nuclear powers and permanent members of the Security Council, did not decide suddenly or lightly to invest in the protection and territorial integrity of Greece, taking also into account the possibility of engagement with Turkey, also a NATO Ally. This decision of theirs also carries a particular symbolism. They recognize that Greece, in addition to embracing the same values, plays an important, stabilizing and – to quote the expression of my US counterpart, Mr. Blinken – “leading” role in the wider region.
Therefore, the United States considers that it is in the interest of these two countries to invest in the security and prosperity of our country. And let me add something that was particularly noticeable during my contacts in Paris and Washington: These countries appreciate the fact that Greece has broadened its horizons and has ceased to pursue a limited “Turkey-centric” foreign policy. It is now clear that Greece has a role and a say in regional developments.
JOURNALIST: What messages does the fact that the USA chose to upgrade its presence in Greece convey at a time when its strategic interest is shifting to regions beyond Europe?
N. DENDIAS: I would underscore what you just said. The United States has focused much of its interest in the Indo-Pacific region. Greece is the exception to the rule that sees the US withdrawing from Europe. At a time when other European countries are willing to pay the United States to deploy forces on their territory, the United States decides to invest, both politically and economically, in Greece, in areas of special interest to us, such as Thrace and Crete, and that regardless of the Turkish reaction.
Undoubtedly, this move underscores the strategic importance that the United States continues to attach to Greece regarding the consolidation of security in our wider region. Let me point out, Mr. Chondropoulos, that the United States, for the first time in history, has taken one step further by making explicit reference to the protection of our sovereign rights under the International Law of the Sea. The recent Agreement is a significant Greek success, which must be evaluated in the light of developments in the global system and not from a narrow Greek-centric point of view and with outdated ideas, as, unfortunately, various voices from the Opposition do, looking, in vain I would say, for excuses so that they deny this success.
JOURNALIST: In your opinion, what are the prospects for EU -Turkish relations?
N. DENDIAS: The European Council of last March was clear: If there is a relapse in Turkish conduct, the European Union will have to adopt measures to indicate that this conduct cannot be tolerated. Taking into account the Turkish actions in the fenced-off city of Famagusta, but also the recent provocations in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Greece and Cyprus, the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, at the urging of the High Representative Mr. Borrell, decided to consider relevant measures in the near future.
I take note of the fact that this proposal was supported, in addition to countries that are favourably inclined towards our positions, by other countries that, until now, had remained silent. At the same time, countries that would otherwise be opposed remained silent. It is now clear that tolerance from European countries for Turkish provocative conduct is diminishing.
Of course, the speed with which this trend will lead to tangible results is another matter. The European Union, where the unanimity of the 27 member states is required to make any foreign policy decision, is like a tanker changing course. It takes time, constant effort and vigilance. The aim of new measures is not to harm Turkey, nor, of course, Turkish society, a large part of which I believe is looking forward to joining the European family. The aim is to send a clear message that the current Turkish conduct, which now defies common sense, is unacceptable and condemnable.
JOURNALIST: The Agreement with France also brought to the fore the debate on European strategic autonomy. Given the current situation, how visible do you think such a prospect is?
N. DENDIAS: Let me point out that the key question is not so much whether we are close to creating a European autonomous defence identity, integrated into the Euro-Atlantic framework, but whether it is now an imperative or not. And the answer is clearly yes. In the near future Europe will be called upon to deal with security crises in its immediate vicinity, crises in which we cannot anticipate the immediate involvement of the United States.
Such crises will have to be addressed by mobilizing European military mechanisms, which, unfortunately, are currently insufficient. Therefore, efforts to strengthen them must be intensified. Greece plays a positive role, in so far as its size allows it to do so. The Agreement with France is not a negligible step. It contributes, inter alia, to strengthening solidarity between European countries, as well as to strengthening the European defence industry. The effort made by both our country and France is fully compatible with strengthening ties with the United States, both bilaterally and within NATO. But, to return to your original question, I am afraid that the prospect of European autonomy is not yet as visible as developments in the international and European security environment require.
JOURNALIST: You participated in the Conference on Libya a few days ago. What is the current state of Greece’s relations with Libya, how is progress towards the normalization of the situation in this country evolving and how do you see the future of Libya from now on?
N. DENDIAS: The Conference took place in Tripoli and I participated at the invitation of my Libyan counterpart. This alone indicates the importance that Libya itself attaches to relations with our country. This relationship was built through our constant contacts with all key “players” in Libya; through business missions, the opening of our Embassy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi. Trust and mutual respect are cultivated, built. And we invest in these relations.
The stability and prosperity of Libya, which is a twenty minutes flight away from Crete, is an immediate priority for us. The situation in Libya also affects other countries in the region, such as our strategic partner, Egypt. Therefore, the stabilization of Libya is a one-way street for us.
The first step is the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries, including those supported by Turkey, and the holding of elections on the agreed date, that is, on December 24.
JOURNALIST: During the last two years we’ve had agreements on the delimitation of EEZ with Italy and Egypt, a political agreement with Albania, defence agreements with France and the UAE and the extension of the agreement with the USA. Should we expect new developments towards strengthening our country’s alliances?
N. DEDNDIAS: Certainly, the effort is ongoing. Tomorrow I will meet in London with my British counterpart and we will sign a bilateral cooperation agreement covering a large number of areas, including defence and foreign policy. This agreement is not purely defensive, such as the agreements with the US, France and the United Arab Emirates.
It is a framework agreement that will allow for the deepening of our relations with a country with which we maintain long-lasting traditional ties of friendship; a country which played a key role in Greek independence; a country, with which we fought on the same side in two world wars, a nuclear power, a permanent member of the Security Council and a guarantor power of Cyprus. We lay the foundations for deepening this relationship in a new framework after Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. If circumstances allow, we will also conclude other agreements in the future, always with a focus on safeguarding our national interests in the context of mutual understanding and mutual respect between states, always on the basis of international law and good neighbourly relations.
