JOURNALIST: While 2020 was a difficult year, important agreements were reached in terms of foreign policy. Do you believe 2021 could become a milestone for further developments and, if so, which would these be? N. DENDIAS: I agree with your observation. At the beginning of 2020, no one could have imagined that it would develop as it did, with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Despite adverse conditions, we achieved much. We resolved issues that had remained pending for decades. We signed three particularly important agreements, two concerning maritime zones with Italy and Egypt and one concerning a pioneering form of collaboration on foreign policy and defence with the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, we reached an agreement with Albania to refer the issue of maritime zones to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, in accordance with the rules of international law and, in particular, the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Finally, we took the actions necessary for the extension of our territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 miles. It must become widely understood, Mr Nedos, that despite the glumness of certain individuals, the Mitsotakis government faced a variety of challenges and hybrid threats during this past year with sufficient self-confidence, reaching agreements that guarantee our national interests and expanding its partnerships with a number of other states. Our aim for 2021 is to continue this approach, which expands on our strategic horizon compared to the past. Our country is not hostage to zero-sum or dilatory rhetoric pursuits, but guarantees its rights and national interests through agreements. We will continue building on this groundwork in 2021, cultivating bilateral relations and trilateral and multilateral mechanisms and remaining particularly active in international organisations. JOURNALIST: How will you achieve that? Through which specific actions and initiatives? N. DENDIAS: Firstly, we will promote our bilateral relations by pursuing the conclusion of important agreements: with the USA, the update to the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement; with Saudi Arabia, through a joint effort with the Ministry of National Defence and Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the agreement on cooperation in the field of defence; and with France, to deepen our cooperation. Next week I will be visiting Italy and Portugal. This will be followed by a visit to Belgium and, shortly thereafter, το the Baltic countries — all that during the first few months. We will also develop the new framework of cooperation with the United Kingdom. At the same time, we are expanding our horizons and creating new channels with emerging powers and countries in Asia and Africa, such as India and Kenya, both of which assumed recently seats on the UN Security Council. We are developing these initiatives, but without neglecting our immediate neighbourhood. We have a very important role to play in the Western Balkans in terms of consolidating stability and peace, both through continuously supporting their European course and through active participation in and contribution to regional initiatives. Our goal is the incorporation of the Western Balkans into the European family and, at the same time, their protection from penetration by extremist networks and neo-Ottoman outlooks. Friendly Muslim countries in the broader region, which share our views and with which we are building a stable, honest relationship in order to become a bridge of cooperation with countries with a Christian population, are contributing to this effort. In order to achieve these objectives, we have developed a particularly active presence. The Albanian Prime Minister, Mr Rama, was in Athens for a private visit two days ago. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Mr Osmani, will be visiting Athens this coming week. During this visit, three memoranda of cooperation will be signed, underscoring our commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. At the same time, efforts to further enhance our presence in Kosovo are under way. We are also undertaking initiatives in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the context of the European Union, in order to create a framework of stability and governability. We will reinforce multilateral initiatives, together with Cyprus and countries in the region that espouse the same principles we do, such as Egypt, Israel and Jordan. We look forward to other countries' joining these platforms, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as major international players, such as France, India and, of course, the United States. Finally, we will develop initiatives in the context of the European Union, the UN, the OSCE and — why not — even NATO. Mr Nedos, although the pandemic continues to hamper our work, we cannot stop. We are obligated to defend our national interests. This can only be achieved if we look beyond our narrow horizons and take initiative. We are opening doors that had remained barred for years. This is the effort that is being made by the New Democracy government and myself, according to my constitutional duty, from the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. JOURNALIST: The first law being brought to Parliament concerns the extension of territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 nautical miles. Is such a development likely with regard to the Aegean Sea, as well? N. DENDIAS: The bill in question will be brought before Parliament presently and will be adopted immediately. We must not underestimate its importance. This is the first expansion of the boundaries of the Greek state since 1947, always through peaceful means and on the basis of international law. This expansion is our country's inalienable right. However, to return to your main question, we are preparing for an expansion in other parts of the country too. We are taking the technical steps necessary, so as to be prepared when it is deemed expedient to move forward. When that will be remains a political choice. JOURNALIST: You recently engaged in talks once again with the Albanian Prime Minister. Do you believe that there could be developments in the delimitation talks? In other words, will there be recourse to The Hague? N. DENDIAS: The Albanian Prime Minister and I have come to enjoy a relationship of honest cooperation. I had the opportunity to speak extensively with him on all bilateral and regional issues during both my visit to Tirana and his visit to Athens two days ago. As regards the issue of having recourse to The Hague, the competent technical teams are continuing their work. The goal is for a special agreement to be signed and submitted, hopefully as soon as possible — my estimate would be after the Albanian parliamentary elections in April. I should note that all Albanian political forces support the delimitation of the two countries’ maritime zones on the basis of the International Law of the Sea, by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This is precisely what we are telling our Turkish interlocutors. It would be particularly useful to remind everyone that Mr Rama has recognised Greece’s inalienable right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles. In fact, he added that Albania did the same thing 30 years ago and, therefore, no third country can oppose this right — let alone threaten war, to add to his words. JOURNALIST: Are you optimistic that the exploratory talks could lead to something substantial? Do you believe Ankara’s intentions for dialogue are honest? What exactly is Athens discussing? It seems that Ankara disagrees with the agenda being set. N. DENDIAS: Let me start with your final question. As we have stressed on numerous occasions, the agenda of the exploratory talks is specific and cannot change. The next round of talks will be the 61st. These talks began two decades ago. One interlocutor cannot unilaterally decide to expand the agenda, as this would be tantamount to an effort to undermine the talks. It remains to be seen if Ankara’s intentions are sincere. In any case, whenever these talks resume, our approach will be honest and constructive. Now, if you’re asking me what the result of these talks will be and whether we remain optimistic, let me answer in football terms: a manager was once asked to predict the outcome of a match. His response? “Forecasts only available at the end of the match”. Of course, we are preparing for every eventuality, as is our obligation. However, I would like to bring up a concern. The Turkey of 2021 is not the Turkey of 2016, the year of the last round of exploratory talks. Today's Turkey is far removed from the Turkey of the early 2000s, which aimed at European accession. Of course, no one can decide on a change of its course on Turkey's account, which would be my heartfelt wish.JOURNALIST: What can Athens expect from the new administration in the US? Recently there has been talk of adjustments to the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) concluded with the United States. Could you explain whether this would mean an increase to the military footprint and in which ways? N. DENDIAS: Let me begin by saying that my cooperation with the outgoing US administration and, in particular with my counterpart, Mr Pompeo, was exemplary. His contribution to the development of bilateral relations between our two countries to unprecedented levels was decisive. We aim at continuing and further strengthening our relations with the US. I look forward to my first meeting with the new US Secretary of State, Mr Blinken. Our goal is to complete negotiations on the adaptation of the MDCA in order to establish particularly long-term prospects that will not require renewal every year, on one hand, and to increase the footprint of US presence in Greece in areas that underline our country's strategic importance, on the other. The US presence does not entail the creation of military bases reminiscent of the Cold War era and rationale; instead, it will be flexible and adapted to present-day circumstances, enhancing our country's geopolitical importance in the wider region. I consider an intense, constant presence in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean, both diplomatic and military, to be useful. JOURNALIST: You have already signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates, and a further agreement with Saudi Arabia, mainly concerning defence, is imminent. Our relations with Israel have been bolstered, while those with Arab countries such as Egypt are flourishing. Could this regional environment act as a buffer to Turkey’s provocations? N. DENDIAS: My answer would be yes, but conditionally. To explain, the countries you mentioned, each to different degrees, have a difficult relationship with Turkey. However, this is exclusively due to Turkey's provocative and expansionist policy. Turkey may seek to transform itself from the “sick man”, as it was viewed by the West 100 years ago, into the “great revisionist”, imposing itself on the area of the former Ottoman Empire. This approach runs completely contrary to fundamental principles of international law, undermines peace and stability in the region and, of course, triggers defence reflexes. Unfortunately, the issue of Turkish revisionism is on the agenda of my meetings with all my international counterparts. In this light, the various initiatives developed currently aim at containing Turkey's provocative conduct. However, please allow me to note at this point that I am referring to containing a specific type of conduct, not a country in general. As I have stressed on several occasions, the development of our relations with the aforementioned countries, whether in bilateral or multilateral platforms, is not aimed against anyone. On the contrary, we have underlined that Turkey could also join these platforms, on a very simple yet very important condition: that it accept that disputes must be resolved peacefully, on the basis of international law. It is my deepest, most sincere hope that Turkey will recognise that its revisionist and aggressive conduct will inevitably lead to results that are the opposite of those it intends. At a time when it is facing serious economic challenges, I believe it would be expedient for Turkey to make a radical shift in direction and abandon its barren expansionist aspirations. With all due respect, I think this would be in the true interest of the Turkish people. After all, a large part of Turkish society professes just that: the European framework as the sole prospect for Turkey.JOURNALIST: Do you believe there will be room for discussion on the Cyprus issue in 2021? N. DENDIAS: Athens, always in a spirit of full coordination with Nicosia, has stressed that it will participate in an informal five-sided conference, should the UN Secretary General convene one. Beyond that, our view on the resolution of the Cyprus issue is well known and unwavering, i.e. a bizonal, bicommunal federation on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the European acquis. This view is shared by the international community. Sadly, I cannot express any optimism. The rhetoric being voiced by Turkish officials, as well as the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Tatar, is not encouraging. I would add to the negative rhetoric the unlawful opening of Varosha and the continuous drilling activities.
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