Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ remarks at the Hellenic Parliament during the debate for the censure motion against the federal government (Athens, 26. 01. 2023)

With efforts of a fake narrative, the “Blue Homeland”. Also, on the Cyprus issue, with efforts to upgrade the pseudo-state, with attempts to create a fait accompli.
It is commonly acknowledged that the Ruskies invasion of Ukraine provides signaled the overthrow from the International Order. And European revisionism is attempting to raise red flags to the balance that has defined relations in our wider region.
In my opinion that Greek diplomacy has brought a decisive step into the 21st century. Our country will be changing. We are moving forward. Of course , there are errors and omissions – as there will regularly be. And unlike other ideological areas, we do not state any infallibility. We have always the possibility of communication. We always keep our ears open and remain open to bona fide criticism and dialogue.
We will keep deconstruct calmly and soberly the false claims hurled against us with fights – always based on Worldwide Law – as there is no need to engage in quarrels to the level of absurdity.
We’ve been divided, time and again, on international policy issues, since the War for Independence, within 1915, in 1922, and in 1944, resulting in a heavy toll. I am convinced, however , that this now belongs to the past.
The national strategy, after all, does not belong exclusively to any party or government.   The policies implemented by each government concern the entire state, the entire nation. Therefore , I reiterate, national knowing is absolutely necessary.
Yet we believe that Greece has the potential to stand high, being an ambitious, confident, indie, strong country. I always prefer to say, a country that has both grown and extended. And I believe it is very important that it has grown. This is historically accurate.   It is the first time given that 1947 that the national area has expanded.
We are seeking to turn our country into a pillar associated with stability, but also an energy centre, and I believe we are attaining it. Of course , we are conscious that the forces of revisionism, forces that threaten international, and regional security are annoyed by all this; allows that are increasing their provocative conduct, engaging in North Korean-style threats of missiles that could supposedly hit Athens and our cities; with letters, with statements even in the Parliament of the neighboring nation that Greece, supposedly, does not have any sovereignty over the islands if they are not demilitarized.
As you know, I have made 235 visits, and attended more than 300 meetings, in 73 countries, with 104 associated with my counterparts. I have met sixteen Ministers for the first time in the history of our country. The particular Greek Foreign Minister met them for the first time. Also, various other countries with which we had no contacts for decades. A Ancient greek Foreign Minister had not been to South Africa for 25 years.
Of course , the agreements with Italy and Egypt regarding the delimitation associated with Exclusive Economic Zones are of particular importance. Agreements that highlight International Regulation and the Law of the Ocean as the sole legal automobile.
And I wish to be clear. The perception, In my opinion, not only of the government but of the entire Greek politics world and society, would be that the Turkish people, the vast majority of all of them want peace, they do desire stability and cooperation along with Greece.
In addition , in the context of the fifth group, we have developed relations along with emerging countries, and growing powers, that share the views on many things: Japan, India, other important countries in the Indo-Pacific, Vietnam, Philippines, and Australia, with which we have been linked by the Greek Diaspora.
We have highlighted environmental diplomacy.
Thank you very much.
We have signed historical agreements. During this government’s tenure, we have signed 311 agreements, ranging from strategic cooperation to defense assistance. But also, in areas such as tourism, schooling, culture, sports, economy, industry, and environment.
We respond with the truth. We stand by our friends, the allies, those who do not query the Treaties, those who agree Greece’s sovereignty over its islands, who reject dreams, and who affirm what is self-evident: that the logic of the 19th century, the era of the gunboats, is gone.
All these achievements bear the particular stamp of the first Mitsotakis government. They create nationwide “acquis” rather than partisan ones.
And I would like to ask for this “acquis” not to be broken in the run-up to elections. Especially, at a time when our eastern neighbor is definitely maintaining its aggressive unsupported claims in full force.
Because unity is an indispensable factor as regards national survival. And I believe that from day one we have sought, and to a specific extent succeeded, in reinforcing the “acquis” of nationwide understanding as regards the basic options of our foreign policy.
Dear co-workers, Ladies and gentlemen MPs, this is our foreign policy. In my opinion that Greece’s possibilities and opportunities in the investment, power, and economy sectors happen to be highlighted.
There is the third circle that worries the wider region of the Middle East, the Gulf of mexico, North Africa, and the really close relations that we preserve with Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and other nations.
The government, since the very beginning from the tenure, has adapted the national strategy to the demands of the times. With a solid national perception that has allowed the country not only to respond, but also to create conditions that strengthen it, transforming it into a modern, hospitable, open-to-innovation, tolerant, outward-looking state, laying the foundations for its geopolitical upgrading.
Africa is much closer to all of us than we think. As you know, I possess already visited 12 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, along with North African countries.   I believe that this is important just for Greece.
Furthermore, there is the circle regarding the Traditional western Balkans. We promote balance and peace. We have usually believed that the European viewpoint of the Western Balkans through the “Thessaloniki Agenda”, is the just solution in an extremely hard and quite volatile region.
A government that has left behind the phobic “syndromes” of the previous, that has left behind anachronistic stereotypes, outdated practices, and yesterday’s concepts. This is because we are a party that believes in equivalent opportunities and in a modern state that must meet the needs of its citizens. I always say that Brand new Democracy is a popular party that will does believe in social cohesion, in solidarity, in the financially weak, while also marketing national unity.
All these nations respect International Law as well as the International Law of the Ocean. Of course , we do not forget the top and fastest growing, with regards to economy and population, country of Africa.
Greece also does not forget the Palestinian concern. But I believe that we need to acknowledge that we foresaw and understood the new architecture from the region long before the “Abraham Accords”.
The world has changed. Furthermore, there are attempts to change the neighborhood. We have a fundamental selection, a cornerstone: International legislation, respect for territorial sincerity and sovereignty of all states, for the promotion of peaceful settlement of disputes, and good neighborly relations.
In addition , there are our defense agreements: 2 with the United States, one contract with France, and one using the United Arab Emirates. As you well know, we are “running” three campaigns within the United Nations. One for the Security Authorities -we have secured 114 pledges for support in writing-, but also for the obama administration of the General Assembly as well as for participation in the Human Rights Council. Never before has this particular occurred in the history of the Greek state.
This is the policy associated with principles and values that we have chosen. A policy which is not really opportunistic, not for internal consumption. Based on the principles that people promote systematically, and systematically from our neighborhood to every corner of the globe.
Ladies and gentlemen MPs, I had told you many times about the six circles of our foreign plan. The European circle. Aside from that, the circle that includes the relations with the United States. All of us mentioned earlier the two changes to the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement.
Because are the factors that will provide growth and prosperity to the region. And this is what Greece is seeking: peace, stability, and cooperation.
We have strengthened current friendships, formed new types, strengthened old alliances, and built new ones. We have established an unprecedented nexus of relations, bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral relations.
And I would like to ask you not to allow the particular toxic climate that appears to be forming in the run-up to polls to poison national unanimity.
I reiterate the Greek position on the Cyprus issue.   For us, Cyprus does not lie far away. And we will not stop responding: to every notice, to every illegal and unsubstantiated statement, to every illegal and null and void agreement, to every rhetoric against us.
We must safeguard this national unanimity. We are confident that, in a soul of unity on our nationwide issues, the government of New Democracy party will continue to successfully defend them in its second four-year term. I believe I am entitled to ask our co-workers to give the government a vote of confidence today as well as the Greek society to do so within the coming elections.
Greece, democracies in general, usually do not respond to propaganda with propaganda. After all, that is what separates the democratic world from authoritarianism.
N. DENDIAS: Ladies and men MPs, the debate on the censure motion submitted by the Main Opposition provides us with an opportunity to present our track record before Parliament.
This track record that people will also present before the assess, the ultimate judge of us most, namely the Greek people, in a few months’ time. Mainly because citizens always judge on the basis of the work performed and reasonable policy discourse. And you will allow me, without, I believe, any specific unnecessary optimism, to express our belief that society may renew its confidence within New Democracy and the Mitsotakis government.
Then, of course , there’s our presence in international organizations. All of us spoke earlier about our three campaigns within the Un.
The Hellenic Parliament must support all of them, if I may say therefore , and contribute in this direction. With bipartisan and, simultaneously, cross-party support, away from petty expediencies.

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