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Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias expressed concern about Turkey’s role in the region and Greece’s preparation for any eventuality during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
In his remarks after the meeting, Nikos Dendias expressed Athens’ concern about Turkey’s stance in the eastern Mediterranean, noting that Ankara has become a destabilizing factor for the entire region.
“First of all, I would like to point out that our meeting today is the third in a row in less than a year. Something that at least demonstrates the importance we attach to our relations. Your presence, Mr. Lavrov, in Athens today, after four years, it confirms the common will of the two countries to open a new chapter in our relations. “I also maintain that your visit takes place at a time when the region as a whole faces constant challenges due to the criminal behavior of the neighboring Turkey, “said Nikos Dendias.
“Today’s meeting is the continuation of a constructive and honest dialogue. And regular communication on issues of mutual interest. Our countries and our peoples are connected by a strong long-term friendship based on history, culture, religion, mutual respect and mutual understanding. “Let me point out, Minister, that one of your prominent predecessors and the most prominent Corfiota, from the island I come from, that is, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was the first governor of Greece,” he added.
Dendias: relations with Russia have lasted for centuries
At the same time, Nikos Dendias noted that “relations between our countries have lasted for centuries. They began before my country’s independence and let us not forget that Russia played a catalytic role in Greece’s struggle for independence.” We hope to represent Russia by highest level in events during the 200 years since the start of the Greek revolution in 2021. Greece will continue to be a constant interlocutor of Russia. “
“During our talks today we had the opportunity to examine the structure of our bilateral relations and the possibilities of strengthening them. First of all, we underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral political contacts. In this context, I noted that Greece, a member state of the Union Europe and NATO, wants and works to maintain and strengthen the communication channels between these Organizations and Russia, through institutionalized structures. “Russia is and will continue to be an integral part of the European security architecture and, at the same time, it is an international factor “, stressed the Greek Foreign Minister.
“In the bilateral context, we placed special emphasis on the energy, economic and cultural sectors. “In the field of energy, we look forward to the continuation of our mutually beneficial cooperation and we consider that there are opportunities for cooperation in sectors, such as renewable energy sources, of which Greece has significant knowledge,” he said.
“We also analyzed bilateral trade, as well as the possibility of increasing investment. We also discussed the prospects of strengthening our cooperation in tourism. The joint memorandum for the conduct of the year of Greek-Russian history in 2021, which we have just signed with Mr. Lavrov, it is indicative of our common will to take a step forward also in the cultural field. We have a lot to gain by working together “
“Mr. Lavrov and I also had the opportunity to discuss – and we will continue to have – regional developments. Unfortunately, in all the cases we have discussed, the common denominator is Turkey’s destabilizing role. His neo-Ottoman expansionist aspirations. “In this context, I brought up to my counterpart the issue of Turkish military equipment and the fact that this equipment destabilizes all countries in the region,” said Nikos Dendias.
“I listened with particular interest to Lavrov’s analysis of the Russian perception of Syria and Libya. I expressed my concern about the particularly negative role that Turkey is playing in Syria, undermining the successes against Daesh, and the fact that Turkey has become a travel agency for jihadists, who are transported to various hotspots in the region. I stressed that Greece welcomed the announcement of a permanent ceasefire between the conflicting parties regarding Libya. “But a precondition for Achieving this goal is for all parties to respect and implement all aspects of the Geneva agreement, including the withdrawal of foreign fighters from Libyan territory. “
Nikos Dendias for Nagorno-Karabakh
“With regard to Nagorno-Karabakh, we discussed the efforts of the international community, with Russia playing a key role in achieving a ceasefire between the warring parties. In this context, I informed you about my recent visit to Yerevan. Also I pointed out the significant progress that has been made in Greece’s bilateral relations with the Balkan countries. I informed my counterpart about the agreement reached with Albania to resolve the issue of maritime zones at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. At this point , I made special reference to our inalienable right to extend our territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, according to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “
Dendias-Lavrov: What they discussed on the Cyprus question
We also discussed the Cyprus issue, based on the decisions of the United Nations Security Council. Russia has a special weight, as a permanent member of the Council. It strongly and consistently supports the relevant efforts that are being made, something that Greece especially appreciates. “Therefore, I expressed my satisfaction with the clear position of Russia following the illegal opening of the Varosia waterfront by the occupation forces,” Dendias said.
Dendias: Turkey is investing in escalating tensions
“In general, I have briefed Mr Lavrov in detail about the escalation of the Turkish provocation in the eastern Mediterranean. Just yesterday, Turkey renewed for the umpteenth time its willingness to carry out illegal seismic studies in areas of the Greek continental shelf. It is clear that Turkey is investing in escalating tensions. “She shows daily that in addition to violating international law, she despises the appeals of friends and partners and that her words lack credibility,” he stressed, adding:
“I have made it clear that Greece is ready for any eventuality and has no choice but to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in their entirety. Finally, I pointed out that we are always committed to a constructive dialogue, but at the same time that there is no room for it. dialogue, under the state of pressure and threats ”.
Sergey Lavrov: In favor of dialogue and a peaceful solution
For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister initially focused on the historical relations between the two countries and stressed that bilateral cooperation continues, although he noted that, at the beginning of the pandemic, the two countries helped each other. Among other things, referring to Ankara’s challenges in the eastern Aegean region, he advocated for a peaceful settlement through dialogue.
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