The government is taking action following media reports circulated by Türkiye that Ankara is preparing an EEZ with Syria, starting with what Kyriakos Mitsotakis told his European partners at the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

In this context, the Greek prime minister even made sure to remind in his statements that “in the view of Greece and the EU, the Turkish-Libya memorandum is illegal and invalid.”

He added that, in response to Akar’s statements about the possibility of a Türkiye-EEZ agreement that would essentially exclude Cyprus, following the example of the Turkish-Cypriot memorandum, “obviously both I and President Christodoulides informed our counterparts about these discussions that are coming to light, that some kind of EEZ could be defined between Türkiye and Syria, which would disregard the undeniable sovereign rights of Cyprus. So there has been an update on something that at this level so far has been moving in the circle of journalistic information.”

At the same time, Mitsotakis convinced his EU counterparts of the need for the European Union to turn its attention to the issue of the implementation of a European policy on defence, succeeding in deciding to hold an extraordinary summit on 3 February on this issue.

Explaining his insistence on this issue, the Prime Minister said that “the enormous geopolitical tension we are facing also requires, I would say, a geopolitical and defence awakening of our continent, which can move on many different levels.”

“I will continue to believe that European resources need to be mobilized, as I have written and explained many times, in order to have a European defense fund, so to speak, which can finance defense actions that will concern the entire European Union, that this is not an action that competes with NATO but is absolutely complementary. And that in this way we could send a message to the United States – which, with President Trump, I am sure, will push the European Union for more defence spending – that we are also taking seriously our responsibilities for our own defence, after all,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis added.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis added.

Asked about the provocations of the Skopje Prime Minister, Christian Mitskoski, who insists on talking about “Macedonia” and “Macedonians”, Mitsotakis replied, “In front of me at the EPP meeting, Christian Mitskoski used the name provided for by the Prespa Agreement, namely North Macedonia, which, moreover, he has an obligation to use erga omnes.”

“I reiterated yesterday and today the need for absolute respect for international agreements. I will not repeat my opinion on the Prespa Agreement, but I have said that our country is obliged to respect it and the neighbouring country is equally obliged to respect it, and this is obviously a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the country to begin to open its European path,” Mitsotakis recalled, “looking” towards Skopje.

The Prime Minister’s statements after the EU Summit

Giannis Kantelis (SKAI). I would like to start with Ukraine, it was one of the main topics of the summit. I would like to ask how far the European Union is ready to go to prevent Russia from winning or for Ukraine to win, and how this, the Ukraine and Russia front, affects Euro-Atlantic relations, Europe’s relations with the new Trump administration.

It is a question that I would like to ask how far the European Union is ready to go to prevent Russia from winning or for Ukraine to win, and how this, the Ukraine and Russia front, affects Euro-Atlantic relations, Europe’s relations with the new Trump administration?

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: The European Union’s stance, Mr. Kanteli, as reflected in the conclusions of the European Council, remains firm. We continue to support Ukraine, not only militarily but also economically, because we want to allow Ukraine to negotiate a possible peace with Russia on its terms and at the time it chooses, but not in conditions of weakness.

The European Council’s position on Ukraine is as follows.

Beyond that, I don’t know what the US President’s policy will be on the Ukraine issue, what I do know is that the European Council conclusions reflect that the European Union’s position on this issue has not changed.

Spyros Mourelatos (ANT1 – APM):Mr. President, we know that you discussed the issue of Syria at the dinner and I would like to ask whether the European Union and the Greek government are concerned about the growing influence that Türkiye seems to have in Damascus, whether this, according to you, will create a problem in Greek-Turkish relations given the High Cooperation Council in Ankara at the beginning of the year. We remember very well how Türkiye, with a puppet regime in Libya three years ago, attempted the Turkish-Colombian memorandum, and I would like to ask whether you are worried that something similar might happen with Syria this time. Thank you very much.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, we welcomed the fact that a brutal regime – about which in the last few weeks, in the last few days actually, we have learned the level and intensity of the violence that it was using to essentially suppress the Syrian people – that regime has collapsed. It is in principle a positive development.

I think what we are all interested in – and I think should be interested in – is defending the territorial integrity of Syria and the possibility of a new regime emerging with democratic legitimacy, which first and foremost respects the rights of religious minorities.

You are well aware that I was in Lebanon a few days ago and met with the Patriarch of Antioch. Greece has an important role to play as, I would say, the spiritual protector of both the Patriarchate of Antioch and, by extension, of all Greek Orthodox living in both Syria and Lebanon.

The first concern right now is precisely their safety and that we do not face new refugee flows as a result of people who feel that they are not safe with the new situation.

And of course, I would say to you that Europe as a whole, but also Greece, has a reason to still seek a stability in Syria, because this is a necessary condition be able to start to return refugees from Europe to Syria in security.

We are not there yet and it is too early to draw conclusions. Just as it is too early to draw conclusions about Turkey’s role in Syria and what the future implications of Turkish involvement in a country with which, I remind you, it has a border might be. Turkey is a neighboring country to Syria.

Maria Psara (STAR): Mr. President, if I may ask a follow-up question to Spyros Mourelatos’ question? Has the risk been raised by you and the Cypriot President, as reflected in statements by Hulusi Akar, of a Turkish-Syrian EEZ deal, effectively excluding Cyprus, along the lines of the Turkish-Cypriot memorandum?
Are you and the Cypriot President aware of the risk, as reflected in statements by Hulusi Akar, of a Turkish-Syrian EEZ deal, effectively excluding Cyprus, along the lines of the Turkish-Cypriot memorandum?

And one more question, although you have partially answered it: does Greece intend to proceed with Syrian refugee returns and how, by what procedure can this be done?

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, let me remind you, Ms Psara, that not only in the view of Greece but also in the view of the European Union, the Turkish-Libya memorandum is illegal and invalid.

Obviously, both I and President Christodoulides have informed our counterparts of these discussions that are seeing the light of day, that some kind of Exclusive Economic Zone between Türkiye and Syria could be defined, which would disregard the undeniable sovereign rights of Cyprus. So, there has been an update on something which, however, at this level is simply to this day moving in the circle of journalistic information.

Now on the issue of return, I think the first thing we need to explore is whether there is a willingness for voluntary returns. And, at the same time, to support those structures, particularly the structures of the United Nations, that will ensure that the people who return will at least have their basic needs met.

And of course, as you know, Greece as well as many other European countries have essentially suspended the procedures for issuing asylum decisions to Syrians who are in our country for a very simple reason: because as a rule, those decisions had a basic justification, a basic justification for why the asylum seeker was seeking protection, and that was that they were in danger from the Assad regime, which no longer exists. So we’ll have to wait a little bit and see how the situation develops.

Syria has not turned into a safe country overnight. It would be very naive to claim that. But the facts on the ground have clearly changed, and that is why I repeat that the stabilization of Syria is not only of interest for the protection of the Greek Orthodox element in the country, which is very important, it is also very important for the whole of Europe, because in this way a return of people who fled Syria could be initiated, precisely because they felt that they were being persecuted by a regime that no longer exists.

Georgia Skitzi (ERT):I’ll take you, Mr. President, to yesterday’s European Union-Western Balkans Summit. You mentioned both Serbia and Albania. For Serbia you said that we have to show it that it belongs to the European family, while for Albania you said that Greece is essentially the “guardian” of its European course.

But we also had the leader of another Western Balkan country, North Macedonia, who from here, from Brussels, spoke of “Macedonian” citizens and “Macedonia”, and Mr. Mickoski has pledged that in the official obligations of the state he will use the official name. I wanted your comment.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: In front of me, I mean in the meeting that we had yesterday at the summit, but also this morning when we met together in the context of the preparatory meeting of the European People’s Party, he used the official and only – I want to emphasize – the only name of the country, which is North Macedonia, which, moreover, he has the obligation to use erga omnes, that is, also within his country.

I reiterated yesterday and today the need for absolute respect for international agreements. I will not repeat my view on the Prespa Agreement. I have said that our country is obliged to respect it and the neighbouring country is equally obliged to respect it. And this is obviously a necessary, not sufficient, but certainly a necessary condition for it to start at some point, to open up its European path in a substantial way.

Sofia Fassoulaki (MEGA). You have mentioned many times the need to strengthen European defence, it is a proposal that you constantly bring to the table of our partners and I would like to ask if this discussion took place today, if you expanded, if you discussed this issue at all.

We have two wars open before us and nobody knows what may happen in the future. This need is becoming more and more urgent, if in the end there is not this allocation of funds, how can European defence be strengthened?

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Mrs. Fassoulakis, I am glad because, following my proposal as well, there will be an extraordinary summit which will take place on February 3 and will focus exclusively on European defence.

Greece’s positions are well known, I do not need to repeat them. You are right, however, when you say that the enormous geopolitical tension we are facing also requires, I would say, a geopolitical and defence awakening of our continent, which can move on many different levels.

I will continue to believe that European resources also need to be mobilised, as I have written and explained many times, to have what we might call a European defence fund, which can finance defence actions involving the whole of the European Union, that this is not an action that competes with NATO but is complementary. And that in this way we could also send a message to the United States – which, with President Trump, I am sure, will push the European Union for more defence spending – that we are also taking seriously our responsibilities, after all, for our defence.

Giorgos Papaconstantinou (ACTION24). Next weekend the informal North-South summit is being convened by the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr Petteri Orpo, next weekend. I would like you to tell me what you expect from this summit and what will be the focus of your discussions?

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: With the good hope that Mrs. Meloni, who was very ill today, will be able to travel tomorrow to the extremely cold Lapland, this summit which brings Finland, Sweden, Italy and Greece to the same table is a first-class opportunity to discuss exactly the issues I spoke about before, how the countries of the north and the countries of the south perceive the new defense challenges of the European Union, each from their  perspective.

We will also discuss the very interesting study that the former Finnish President did on the issues of the European Union’s defense readiness and I think we can learn from each other as well.

Finland, let’s say, is a country that is a pioneer, I would say, in organizing the whole society on issues of civil protection, defense shielding and defense resilience.

So, I think in a more relaxed situation, somewhere in the north of frozen Finland, we can have meaningful discussions that I think will be mutually beneficial.

Maria Aroni (OREN – AP): Mr. President, the situation in Syria is very volatile and we see that the only power that seems to have tangible benefits in Syria right now is Turkey. Does Greece have anything to say, to offer, to gain from a completely new Syria that may emerge on an economic, social level? I am also referring to the great “weapon” we have, the Patriarchate of Antioch.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: I think I already answered this. Greece has a role and will have a role in the region. And I insist that we should all at this moment look forward to an inclusive Syria, to a Syria that will not follow the path of other countries that have gone through similar phases of removing despotic leaders, that the same mistakes that may have been made in Iraq and Libya will not be made, that the country will not fall back into a regime of instability and anarchy.
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And in this challenge – I want to believe that it is a common challenge – I think that everybody can, under certain conditions, play their own distinct role.