“We will defend our rights in sincere cooperation with our friends and allies, starting with our sister country, Cyprus. However, we will do so while respecting the fundamental principles of the United Nations and the EU. because our own authorities demand it,” the Greek Foreign Minister stressed. Nikos Dendias, in his address, broadcast by video link at the 18th Conference of Economists in Nicosia, pointing out that this is exactly the practice that civilized countries use: “As we did with Italy and Egypt. These agreements, as well as the recent Israel-Lebanon maritime zone agreement, always based on international law, are a prime example that all other countries in the region should follow,” he said.

Mr Dendias described it Turko-Libyan “memorandum” agreement, which was based on a legal monster concluded three years ago, which stated that ” TurkeyRussia, in addition to unacceptable, reprehensible and incessant rhetoric against Greece, is also embarking on actions that risk upsetting the delicate balance in the Mediterranean.”

He spoke of the forces of revisionism and the return to 19th century practices, which are returning with new momentum and strength in our immediate neighborhood. At the same time, he noted that “Turkey continues its provocative actions in the Aegean, in Cyprus and in other regions, violating the fundamental norms of international law — norms that Turkey itself refers to, setting forth hypocrisy, if not absurdity. We will not slip off this road,” he stressed.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the head of Greek diplomacy said that Greece’s position remains firm: “We stand for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. We condemned Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Any tolerance on the part of the international community could set a disastrous precedent. There is still a Greek community living in Ukraine, to which we have only partial access due to hostilities. Our main concern remains his protection, as well as the administration of justice for any war crimes.”

The gospel of international law for Greek foreign policy

Meanwhile, the foreign minister emphasized the “need for national unity on foreign policy issues” in statements after meetings with representatives of parliamentary parties as part of their regular foreign policy briefings, and also said he was leaving for Kyiv. As Mr. Dendias stressed, a national consensus on foreign policy issues is needed. Especially “today, more than ever, because of the existing tension, this agreement is necessary. The challenges we are facing are unprecedented,” he said.

The Foreign Minister briefed the parties’ representatives on his contacts in Cairo, Valletta, London and the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday in Luxembourg, also referring to the “memorandum” between the Tripoli government and Turkey. “I consider it absolutely positive that, in addition to the statements made recently, there was a clear understanding of the position of Greece. Positions that are based on a solid foundation, international legitimacy and international maritime law and serve stability and security in the Mediterranean,” he stressed.

He also referred to the example of Israel and Lebanon and their recent agreement on their maritime zones. “An agreement that reinforces the Greek narrative, as it has a symbolic meaning for the entire region,” the minister stressed.

“The Greek-Turkish dispute may well be resolved within the framework of international law and international maritime law,” said Mr. Dendias, adding: “However, Turkey is not inclined to heed these challenges. He prefers delinquent behavior and I want to make it clear that we will continue to highlight and highlight this criminal behavior.”

He also announced his move to Kyiv, his third visit to Ukraine during the war. The previous two were in Odessa, a city of great importance to Hellenism, he said. His visit to Ukraine, in addition to deepening bilateral relations, also has a strong element of symbolism, the fact that, as he said, “that the Greek government, Greek society, the Greek people as a whole support countries that are under threat of national independence and national sovereignty.”

“International law, the UN charter is the “gospel” for the foreign policy of Greece. I will repeat it in Kyiv,” he concluded.

^{With information from APE-MPE}