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Greece is a protagonist, not a spectator, in geopolitical developments: Foreign Minister
🇬🇷 Greece /Elections & Politics

Greece is a protagonist, not a spectator, in geopolitical developments: Foreign Minister

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stated Greece is a protagonist, not a spectator, in geopolitical developments.
  • He sent a clear message to Turkey that maintaining the casus belli is incompatible with its European and international security aspirations.
  • Gerapetritis highlighted Greece's strengthened international position, defense capabilities, and active role in NATO and the EU.

Greece is actively shaping geopolitical events rather than passively observing them, according to Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. He asserted that Greece stands as a protagonist with an enhanced international standing, robust defense, and a significant presence within NATO and the European Union.

Greece is not just a spectator, but a protagonist of developments.

— George GerapetritisAsserting Greece's active role in geopolitical events.

Gerapetritis directly addressed Turkey, emphasizing that the continued existence of its casus belli against Greece is fundamentally at odds with its integration into European and global security frameworks. He dismissed claims of significant diplomatic or defense concessions made to Turkey following the NATO summit, stating that external policy is judged by tangible outcomes, not mere impressions.

He contrasted the current situation with 2019, noting that Greece was excluded from the F-35 program and F-16 upgrades while Turkey was a co-producer. Today, Greece has bolstered its air power, acquiring F-35s and upgrading F-16s, thereby expanding its regional and international influence. Gerapetritis stressed that no concrete commitments or promises were made to Turkey regarding its arms programs, labeling further speculation as conjecture.

It is inconceivable today for a country that wants to participate in the international security architecture to issue a threat of war against a neighboring and allied country.

— George GerapetritisCommenting on the incompatibility of Turkey's casus belli with international security cooperation.

The Foreign Minister underscored the casus belli as a major impediment to both Greek-Turkish relations and Turkey's own aspirations for closer ties with Europe and the West. He argued that under the UN Charter, a nation cannot maintain a declared threat of war against a neighbor and ally for exercising its legal rights. Gerapetritis expressed his belief that Turkey should revoke the casus belli, calling such a move not just beneficial but overdue.

In terms of the actual data, no one can say that there has been any commitment or promise. Therefore, all the rest is speculation.

— George GerapetritisDismissing claims of concrete agreements made with Turkey regarding arms programs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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