Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis sent a message to Turkey today that unilateral measures have only domestic validity and no international standing, during a discussion at the Energy Transition Summit organized by the Financial Times and Kathimerini.

Commenting on reports from Turkey regarding draft legislation being prepared by the Turkish government under the framework of the so-called “Blue Homeland” doctrine, the Greek foreign minister also stated that Athens is preparing responses for all possible scenarios.

At the same time, diplomatic sources noted that Athens has clearly communicated its concerns to Ankara and that such moves do not contribute to maintaining a climate of calm relations. Nevertheless, the same sources stressed that the situation remains manageable and that communication channels are functioning.

“The new era of foreign policy is characterized by the fact that we cannot make any substantial predictions, because there are so many parameters that remain entirely unclear and vulnerable that no one can have a fully clear picture. What we are actually doing is shaping responses for every possible scenario. And that is exactly what we are doing,” the foreign minister said during the conference.

Gerapetritis also emphasized that the proposed Turkish legislation cannot produce legal consequences regarding Turkey’s arbitrary claims in the Aegean.

“As far as the alleged legislation is concerned — Turkey’s legislation aimed at legitimizing the so-called ‘Blue Homeland’ — what I would say is that international law must prevail over domestic intentions or visions, and that is how we conduct our bilateral relations,” he stated.

He added that the Law of the Sea must be taken into account, while noting that Turkey has deliberately refrained from signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, he stressed that these provisions are part of customary international law and are therefore binding on all states, whether signatories or not.

“Therefore, if any country chooses to take unilateral measures which, under international law, should be organized on a multilateral or bilateral basis, those measures have only domestic effect and no international application,” the foreign minister said.

He concluded by sending the message that “if we are to achieve sustainable peace, we must cooperate. Any kind of unilateral activity aimed at implementing the intentions of one country is essentially doomed to fail.”