Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis expressed the government’s determination to respond to provocations from Turkey and Libya in the field, during an interview on Open TV.
Responding to the possibility of Turkey’s presence for exploration in territorial waters between Crete and Western Libya, he said characteristically: “Under no circumstances will Greece allow violation of its sovereign rights.” The Foreign Minister clarified, however, that “for now there is no ratification of the Turkish-Libyan memorandum by the House of Representatives in Benghazi” and argued that Greek diplomacy seeks to maintain good relations with both sides in Libya.
Gerapetritis on Turkey’s reactions to the cable: “The project cannot be hindered, it is European”
Regarding Turkey’s reactions to the cable laying, Mr. Gerapetritis said that “work will continue normally” while in case of new harassment from Turkey, he reiterated “we will not be passive recipients. We will respond even if there are reactions.” At the same time, he invoked EU support for the project, declaring the government’s decision to proceed with the project’s work: “We have taken a clear position. We are protected by International Law. The project cannot be hindered because it is a European project,” he said characteristically.
Regarding internal party criticism, mainly from the two former prime ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras, the Foreign Minister stated that under his ministry the country has developed a “strong footprint” internationally and that “Greece’s position has been upgraded to an absolute degree.” He also responded to criticism from the Defense Minister regarding the inclusion percentage Greece achieved in the European Safe mechanism: “foreign policy is one and unified and is determined by the prime minister and KYSEA (Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense),” said Mr. Gerapetritis.
