N. Dendias: The Greek-Turkish dispute can be resolved

For Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, resolving the Greek-Turkish dispute in accordance with international law is his greatest aspiration for Greek foreign policy. «I believe it will create an explosion of opportunities and growth for both countries. Honestly, I think one can only dream of what it will mean to “erase” the Greek-Turkish dispute from the map and to see these two countries cooperate,» said Nikos Dendias in an interview on ERT Radio’s First Channel.

He identified Greece’s return to the Balkans as his second foreign policy priority. «What was happening before the 2010 crisis must be repeated and expanded upon. Greece must be present, especially in all the small Balkan countries that need its support and assistance. And it must also help Serbia join the European Union. In other words, we must not allow a black hole to form in the Western Balkans. »The Balkans are not Europe’s backyard; they are the courtyard in the heart of Europe,” he emphasized.

He further described the signing of Greece’s agreement with Egypt on the EEZ as the most significant moment during his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. «Not only did it resolve a problem that had persisted for 35 years—namely, negotiations that had reached a complete impasse— but above all, it nullified the Turkish-Libyan memorandum and thwarted every effort our neighbor Turkey was making at the time to turn Greece into an island, into a sea under its control, whether through legal or illegal agreements,» the foreign minister explained in an interview on ERT Radio’s First Program. He added that it was also very important for the country and that the government as a whole deserves credit for it.

When asked about the most difficult moment during his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias said it was during the major crisis in the summer of 2020, when the two countries sent their fleets out to sea. As he put it, the moment the bow of our frigate entered the helicopter deck of the Turkish frigate, one could assume that any scenario from that point on could have unfolded, and he noted that thanks to the composure and realism of both sides, the worst was avoided.

Focusing on Greek-Turkish relations, the foreign minister conveyed the message that Greece will cooperate with whatever government and whoever the Turkish people elect as president. Likewise, he expressed the hope that the window of opportunity that opened after the earthquakes would continue even after the elections, and that the two countries would strive to resolve their differences and use this window of opportunitya door. He acknowledged that he himself does not have much hope, noting, however, that he has a great obligation to hope and an even greater obligation to urge whoever is in my position to try.

He also expressed his belief that Turkey is entering a new era. Referring to the possibility of Erdogan’s re-election, he said that it would be a godsend for the entire region if we could return to the days of then-Prime Minister Erdogan at the beginning of the 21st century. But that will be determined immediately after the Turkish and Greek elections, he was quick to note.

When asked whether a change in Turkey’s leadership or behavior would lead to pressure on Greece and to negotiations, Nikos Dendias said that, as foreign minister, no one had pressured him on any issue, and he added that Greece is capable of handling any pressure that may arise.

According to Nikos Dendias, if Greece and Turkey are willing to resolve their differences, all they need is the involvement of the European Union, in the sense that Turkey’s European perspective is a key factor in resolving the issue, and the United States, in the sense that its presence in the broader region is a key factor for security. «But Greece and Turkey are mature countries; they can find a way forward if their governments want to. I am absolutely certain about the Greek government; as for the Turkish government, we’ll have to wait and see,» he added.

At the same time, he emphasized that Greece can extend its territorial waters up to 12 miles under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. «How much we want to do this, and where we want to do it, is up to us. Do we want to exclude Turkey from the sea? No, we don’t, but we also don’t want to cede our rights. So, on that basis, we’re having this discussion. Now, as for anyone trying to cast a negative light on an effort toward Greek-Turkish dialogue—because that’s where we still are; we’re not even in negotiations yet—I think, okay, I can understand that as a general political stance. But I think the Mitsotakis government has a clear position: Dialogue is a good thing. »And I’m glad that a large part of the Greek political system shares this view,” he added.

When asked whether the 12 miles are on the table, the foreign minister replied that they do not need to be put on any table, because they are written in UNCLOS, in gold letters, the provision.

He assessed that the prospect of taking Turkey to The Hague is still quite a long way off. «We’re not anywhere close—I want to be honest,» he noted, adding that «it may be the event that changes the future of both countries and the region as a whole.».

As for Albania, the appeal to The Hague was deemed to be quite close to being filed; however, he remains cautious because recent events have caused him great concern.

When asked to comment on the incident he had with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, he said he had not planned the confrontation and confided that he had gone to the Turkish capital to establish a clear, unambiguous position with Turkey’s neighbors.

Responding to Thanos Siafakas’s comment regarding a national debate, Nikos Dendias revealed what had happened—and the extent to which Greek society had taken it in—when he realized it the next morning, on Saturday morning, as he went out for a walk. There, he added, from the manner and behavior of the people on the street, he realized that Greek society had reacted to it in that specific way, which later became evident.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, he emphasized that it remains a priority. Cyprus is not far from Greece, he pointedly stated, adding that «we are trying to determine how we can return to the points of convergence reached at Crans-Montana and, from there, see how we can move forward. The Cypriot government obviously plays the leading role in the internal aspect of the Cyprus issue. »There is President Christodoulides, who has a deep understanding of the Cyprus problem.” He went on to reiterate that an improved Greek-Turkish relationship could be of great help.

Finally, regarding the issue involving the mayor of Himara, Freddy Beleri, he made it clear in Albania that the rule of law and the European acquis are essential prerequisites for a path toward European integration.