Developments are intensifying for the government in foreign policy and international relations over the coming days, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis participating in two European forums as tensions in Greek-Turkish relations rise again. The Prime Minister put forward for the first time the issue of a meeting of Eastern Mediterranean states to launch broader dialogue. As he revealed, “it is our intention in the coming period to invite all coastal states to a joint meeting, in a forum where we can examine together all issues that concern us.” Mitsotakis’ proposal specifically concerns creating a multilateral 5×5 format that would include 5 countries and 5 thematic areas.
Which countries are included in Mitsotakis’ plan
Specifically, it includes Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey and Libya. The thematic areas are migration, marine environment protection, connectivity, maritime zone delimitation and civil protection. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs will undertake to explore the potential and prospects of such a format and to what extent it could acquire permanent characteristics. “Greece constitutes a pillar of stability and security in southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. In a spirit of understanding and guided by international law, we pursue peace and prosperity in our region. Greece has confidence, has a strong international and regional diplomatic footprint, strong economy and strong armed forces. Not only does it not fear, but it seeks understanding with all neighboring states,” the government characteristically emphasizes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mitsotakis is departing again abroad, specifically for Portorož and Brussels. Today the Summit of heads of state and government of Mediterranean EU member states MED9 will take place in the coastal city of Slovenia, while in the Belgian capital the “27” of the EU will meet on Thursday for the regular European Council. All this amid a rapidly changing international environment, where the Middle East peace agreement has begun to be implemented with the first major “thorns” already apparent, while in Ukraine Donald Trump seeks to achieve a peace agreement soon, after a second meeting he will have with Vladimir Putin, this time in Budapest.
In Slovenia today will be the first meeting of EU leaders (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, Slovenia) just days after signing the Middle East peace agreement at the Peace Summit held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. They are expected to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East – with the participation of Ursula von der Leyen and the King of Jordan who has been invited and will attend – as well as European agenda issues, with emphasis on EU competitiveness and the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
What Mitsotakis will say at the Slovenia Summit
Mr. Mitsotakis, according to his associates, is expected to emphasize the importance of cooperation among European Mediterranean countries on challenges such as climate change, which requires more adaptation to natural disasters, while he is also expected to speak about the 5×5 initiative mentioned above.
Meanwhile, today Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis will participate in the EU Foreign Affairs Council to be held in Luxembourg, and on the sidelines of the session he is scheduled to have bilateral meetings including with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. Turkey’s Foreign Minister appeared particularly critical and caustic toward Greece, targeting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision to block Turkey’s participation in SAFE unless it first lifts the casus belli against Greece. “Greece exercises active and consistent foreign policy based on the universal values of international law and is not externally determined,” Mr. Gerapetritis responded later. “It will not deviate from these principles and whoever is bothered must accept it, because instructions and reproaches are not acceptable. Greece practically pursues peace and good neighborly relations, however on matters of national interest, there can be no discussion.”
