FM: ‘Only action can produce momentum’
George Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, are expected to hold talks in Athens next month centered on the next steps for possibly moving ahead with negotiations on the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf delimitation, the Greek foreign minister confirms in an interview with Kathimerini.
He notes that there is no question of continuing the past process of exploratory contacts, since “what has emerged is that we often found ourselves in a worse position at the end of each round than we were at the start.” In diplomacy, Geraptritis adds, “only action can produce momentum.”
Have you and your Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, been tasked with exploring whether the conditions exist to start discussing the delineation of the EEZ and the continental shelf? What does this exploratory process entail, what is the timeline and what is the procedure that will be followed?
It’s been roughly 15 months since the leaders of the two countries [Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] decided to initiate a structured dialogue so that bilateral relations could be put on a different trajectory. Step by step, we have accomplished a certain level of trust, with open channels of communication to prevent crises. Cooperation on migration, civil protection and the positive agenda have brought tangible results, while the violations of our national airspace have effectively stopped. This climate confirms our desire to contribute to establishing a sense of calm and security in our neighborhood, which, let’s not forget, is caught in the middle of two wars. Right now, as the two foreign ministers, we have been assigned the task of evaluating whether the prerequisites are in place to proceed with a substantial discussion on the delineation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone. These prerequisites are linked to the content of the discussion, which may concern only this particular issue, the general principles that will be applied for the delimitation – namely the full application of international law – the timeline and the form of dialogue, as well as any recourse to international arbitration, which could be the end point of this process based on a memorandum of understanding. I will have the opportunity to discuss these matters with the Turkish minister of foreign affairs during his visit to Athens, likely in November.
Is there a real possibility of the Halki Theological School being reopened? Has Turkey asked for anything in return?
Greece’s foreign policy is not transactional; it is based on principles and values. Therefore, in exercising our sovereignty, and with respect for the rule of law, we make sure that people of all faiths can practice their religion without impediment and that all monuments of intrinsic cultural value, such as Ottoman monuments, are restored. The reopening of the Halki Seminary is not a bilateral issue but a matter of universal demand and of respect for religious freedom. If it goes ahead, it will be a gesture of substance and enormous symbolism – and we will welcome it.
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