Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis addressed Greek-Turkish relations from the parliament podium during his response to a current affairs question submitted by independent MPs Michalis Chourdakis, Rallia Christidou, and Theodora Tzakri. The head of Greek diplomacy made it clear in all tones that “we will never discuss sovereignty issues of our country. They are non-negotiable. I commit before Parliament that there will never be any discussion on sovereignty issues and absolutely no concession regarding our international positions. We are not simply equals. We are in a position of real power, because the government did not close its eyes to the global scenario, but saw the truth face to face!”
Gerapetritis presented the results of Greek-Turkish dialogue in Parliament
Regarding the results that have emerged so far from the Greek-Turkish dialogue, he highlighted the dramatic reduction in Turkish violations of Greek FIR, the decrease recorded in migration flows from Turkish coasts, as well as the commercial benefits to Greek islands due to fast visa processing for Turkish citizens. Furthermore, referring to our country’s position “in the most complex and harsh scenario since World War II,” he meaningfully emphasized that “Greece has managed to have excellent relations with all actors.” As he said later, due to the economic resilience shown by our country, its development as a major energy hub and the strengthening of the Armed Forces, “Greece has not only increased its international footprint, but is in a strong position at all levels.”
According to Mr. Gerapetritis, “the Greek government has followed the path of national dignity and pride. Without verbalism, without nationalist crowns that create confusion, we will continue to act with exclusively national interest as our guide.” Regarding Cyprus, he insisted once again that “Cyprus is and will continue to be our immediate priority.”
Finally, he announced that tomorrow, Saturday, he will be in Nicosia for the funeral of former President of the Republic of Cyprus Georgios Vasiliou, while concluding by saying that next Sunday there will be a trilateral meeting between Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt.
Gerapetritis: Marine parks will expand further in the Aegean
“Marine parks will expand further in the Aegean“, as announced from the parliament podium by Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, responding to a current affairs question from independent MPs Michalis Chourdakis, Rallia Christidou, Theodora Tzakri, while also pre-announcing the extension of territorial waters. From the beginning of his statement, Mr. Gerapetritis did not leave unanswered the criticism he received from Michalis Chourdakis and Rallia Christidou. “You accuse us of timidity and being taken-for-granted allies? Us? Besides the marine spatial planning, we have marine parks that secure our sovereignty and neutralize any claim regarding sovereignty zones. It’s the first phase and others will follow. We have the Aegean 1 marine park and the second will come, don’t worry. It will come just as the extension to 12 nautical miles came, as the agreement with Egypt came, as the agreement with Italy came, as the extension of territorial waters will come. Which government did even one of the things I told you? Which government created marine spatial planning, parks, EEZ and agreements with American giants?“
At the same time, referring to Greek-Turkish relations, the head of Greek diplomacy pointed out that Turkey’s “unacceptable claims” and the “Blue Homeland” narrative date back to the 1990s and have not been withdrawn. According to Mr. Gerapetritis, “but where were we in 2019 and where are we today? Greece today has arguments it never had on the table. ‘Blue Homeland’ has not disappeared from Ankara’s discourse, but today we have registered positions for maritime zones. Registered at the European acquis level. This government in 2025 brought marine spatial planning which constitutes the core of our own claim and we will not back down.”
At the same time, he supported the continuation of Greek-Turkish dialogue, arguing that “we will discuss. However, there is something we will not discuss. We will not discuss national sovereignty issues and no concession on our positions. We are not simply equals today. We are in a position of real power because this government with this support did not close its eyes to the global scenario. It saw reality face to face with a plan. Yesterday’s images with the frigate ‘Kimon’ upgrading our defense – it’s good that we all stand together in national successes. Above governmental positions are national successes.”
On the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electrical interconnection
During his statement, he also addressed the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electrical interconnection. According to the Foreign Minister, the interconnection is “a project of major priority.” “Greece has supported the project without hesitation,” he added and noted that “economic-technical issues have arisen that are currently being resolved.” Regarding Cyprus, he announced that another extended discussion will take place at the UN. “We ensured that the framework for discussions on Cyprus is one and only. It is the framework of UN resolutions for a bicommunal, bizonal federation,” he said meaningfully. Finally, regarding the opposition’s objections to Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement about the US attack on Venezuela, he commented that it was “much more advanced than any European leader,” adding that it “befits a strong state and on the basis of international law.”
