Greek FM: "Peace, But From a Position of Strength" - Rejects "Soft" Turkey Policy Criticism

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis pushed back Sunday against criticism that Athens has pursued a passive diplomatic approach toward Turkey, declaring in an interview with To Vima that "the Greece of passive diplomatic inertia is gone for good."

Mr. Gerapetritis said Greece's policy of "calm waters" with Ankara is not an end in itself but a tool

He cited new Rafale jets, upgraded F-16s, Belharra frigates and pending F-35 deliveries as evidence Greece now holds a stronger air and naval position, alongside deepened strategic ties with the U.S., France, Israel, Egypt, India and Gulf states.

On the 2023 Athens Declaration, Mr. Gerapetritis said it remains active as a structured communication channel with Turkey but does not entail any retreat from Greek positions, with both sides retaining their legal claims intact.

He was notably sharp on Turkey's recently declared Aegean marine parks, calling them "illegal" and without legal effect, since they extend into undelimited international waters over Greece's continental shelf.

"Any attempt to violate our sovereign rights will be met with every available means," he said, adding Greece remains committed to peaceful resolution but is "absolutely ready for any scenario."

Mr. Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece's "inalienable right" to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, saying it can exercise that right unilaterally "at a time and in a manner of Greece's choosing."

He also dismissed suggestions Athens is "overinvesting" in ties with Israel, calling Greek foreign policy multi-layered with open channels to both Israel and the Arab world.

On the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, he called the project critical to ending Cyprus's energy isolation, pledging full implementation.

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Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis pushed back Sunday against criticism that Athens has pursued a passive diplomatic approach toward Turkey, declaring in an interview with To Vima that "the Greece of passive diplomatic inertia is gone for good."

Mr. Gerapetritis said Greece's policy of "calm waters" with Ankara is not an end in itself but a tool to serve national interests, arguing that recent de-escalation has allowed Greece to contain crises, strengthen its economy, upgrade its armed forces and expand its diplomatic reach.

He cited new Rafale jets, upgraded F-16s, Belharra frigates and pending F-35 deliveries as evidence Greece now holds a stronger air and naval position, alongside deepened strategic ties with the U.S., France, Israel, Egypt, India and Gulf states.

On the 2023 Athens Declaration, Mr. Gerapetritis said it remains active as a structured communication channel with Turkey but does not entail any retreat from Greek positions, with both sides retaining their legal claims intact.

He was notably sharp on Turkey's recently declared Aegean marine parks, calling them "illegal" and without legal effect, since they extend into undelimited international waters over Greece's continental shelf.

"Any attempt to violate our sovereign rights will be met with every available means," he said, adding Greece remains committed to peaceful resolution but is "absolutely ready for any scenario."

Mr. Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece's "inalienable right" to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, saying it can exercise that right unilaterally "at a time and in a manner of Greece's choosing."

He also dismissed suggestions Athens is "overinvesting" in ties with Israel, calling Greek foreign policy multi-layered with open channels to both Israel and the Arab world.

On the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, he called the project critical to ending Cyprus's energy isolation, pledging full implementation.

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr