The priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the migration and the EU enlargement process were the focus of the meeting of the Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias with his Portuguese counterpart, Augusto Santos Silva Augusto Santos Silva, in Lisbon.
In a statement after the meeting, Mr.Dendias noted that today's visit comes just two days after the visit of Mr. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his meeting with his Portuguese counterpart, Antonio Costa, congratulated his Portuguese counterpart on his country's assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next 6 months, noting that he has a very difficult task ahead of him, but said he is confident that he will do extremely well. In this context, he expressed the full support of the Greece in his efforts.
Focusing on the agenda of the talks he had with Augusto Santos Silva, Mr.Dendias said that as far as Eastern Mediterranean, had the opportunity to brief his Portuguese counterpart on the latest developments and that he underlined that despite the relative calm in recent weeks, the situation remains very volatile.
The Foreign Minister also stressed that Greece is always ready and willing to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Turkey, but based on the International Law and in order to discuss the only issue that needs to be addressed, the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. In this light, he noted, following an invitation from the Turkish side, it was agreed that we will hold the next round of exploratory talks in Istanbul on 25 January.
On this point, he underlined that the conclusions of the December 2020 European Council called not only for a continued de-escalation for the resumption of exploratory talks, but also for a smooth continuation. «Therefore, we look forward to a constructive attitude from Turkey and refraining from any provocation from their side,» he further noted.
Regarding the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency, the Foreign Minister said that he had been extensively briefed on them by his Portuguese counterpart and expressed Greece's full support for the key issues to be addressed in this context. In particular, he noted that our country will help strengthen transatlantic relations with the United States and expressed the firm belief that the EU's relationship with the emerging global power India should be strengthened, by hosting a Euro-Indian summit.
On this point, he said that he looked forward to meeting his Indian counterpart as soon as conditions allowed. In addition, he said that Greece is looking forward to the European Union-Africa Summit, stressing that our country is seeking strengthening relations with the African continent. «I have invested in these efforts and will continue to do so. And the role of Portugal, which has special ties with Africa, especially with Portuguese-speaking countries, can be crucial,» the Greek Foreign Minister added.
Furthermore, the two Foreign Ministers had a thorough discussion on migration. Dendias expressed his thanks for Portugal's support on this issue. By accepting the resettlement of refugees on its territory, Portugal has set an excellent example, as well as by contributing to the protection of the external borders of the European Union, he noted in particular. In this context, he pointed out that Greece, as a frontline state of the European Union, is asking for a fair immigration pact and asylum which will ensure a fair and equitable burden-sharing between our family, the Member States of the European Union.
Finally, Mr Dendias and Mr Silva discussed the issue of the procedure enlargement of the European Union. The countries of the Western Balkans are looking towards Europe and are carrying out reforms in order to be able to join our European family, Dendias said in his statement, stressing that Greece's position is that we must keep the door open and encourage them as much as we can on this path, noting that failure to do so will not only jeopardise the reforms, but will jeopardise the European experiment as a whole.
With the Foreign Minister of Portugal, Augusto Santos Silva, on my first visit to Lisbon. I received a warm welcome that marks the excellent bilateral relations & cooperation ????, as reflected in the recent visit of @PrimeMinisterGR. pic.twitter.com/eTvWJcIcsx
- Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) January 13, 2021
