Athens has expressed satisfaction with the European Parliament’s report on Turkey, which comes as the prospect of Turkey’s EU accession grows increasingly distant and the country’s drift away from the rule of law becomes ever more apparent. “We believe the report accurately reflects the situation in Turkey,” the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. Regarding the potential extension of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, ministry spokesperson Lana Zochou emphasized that this is “a matter of sovereignty that concerns Greece exclusively. We will exercise this right at a time and place of our own choosing.”
Following technical talks with representatives from both western and eastern Libya — with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meeting Khalifa Haftar’s son, Saddam, confirming that an open channel exists with Benghazi as well — the Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted, regarding maritime zone delimitation with Libya, that “defining the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf with Libya is a priority for Greece.”
On the technical talks held in Tripoli — specifically the dialogue conducted there by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, who was received by the head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi — it was announced that the next round of technical talks will take place in Athens during the summer. The Foreign Ministry also made the following position clear: “In all meetings, we put forward our position on the Turkey-Libya memorandum. It is illegal, unfounded, and void — it violates international law and produces no legal effects.”
The Foreign Ministry on the Gerapetritis-Fidan meeting
Regarding the recent meeting between Greek and Cypriot Foreign Ministers Giorgos Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan in Sofia, the Greek Foreign Ministry revealed that “they discussed the Blue Homeland law. At present, there are only press leaks. Giorgos Gerapetritis told Hakan Fidan that the leaks have caused unnecessary tension in both Greece and Turkey, and that unilateral actions have absolutely no legal basis and produce no legal effects.”
When asked whether the Greek Foreign Ministry is more or less concerned — following the Gerapetritis-Fidan meeting — about the Blue Homeland bill, spokesperson Zochou stated: “We know what the bill being drafted says, and we will respond accordingly. We are preparing for all scenarios and are not letting our guard down.”
“We want calm with Turkey, but that requires it stop threatening EU member states with war”
Responding to statements made by European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas — who said Turkey must respect the rights of EU member states — the Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared: “We too want calm with Turkey, and that requires it to stop threatening EU member states with war and to align itself with EU standards. The European Parliament’s conclusions are clear and beyond dispute.”
On the Cyprus issue, Zochou described Ankara’s insistence on a “two-state solution” as “unacceptable,” adding that it is “clearly not helpful toward a resolution. It will not be accepted.”
Regarding the establishment of a permanent career Deputy Foreign Minister position in parliament and the appointment of Alexandra Papadopoulou, Zochou noted that this is “a longstanding demand of the diplomatic corps. It ensures continuity and prestige for the Foreign Ministry and represents a meaningful institutional reform.”
