Greece emphasises that it pursues active foreign policy based on international law, promoting peace and good-neighbourly relations, in response to recent remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan targeting Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
The Greek government highlights the importance of keeping communication channels open with Turkey to manage potential crises, ahead of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ trip to Ankara for a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Agenda of the high-level meeting
During a briefing with diplomatic correspondents, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou noted that the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is not on the agenda, though she added that “if it is raised, it will be discussed.”
She further explained that, at this stage, the conditions do not exist to advance the discussions further.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis will be accompanied to the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) by a delegation including Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, Climate Crisis Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas, and Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theocharis.
Zochiou clarified that Nikos Dendias will not participate because the Minister of National Defence will be in Brussels, alongside his Turkish counterpart.
Firm stance on national interests
Regarding Fidan’s comments about Dendias, Zochiou reiterated that Greece conducts an active foreign policy grounded in international law and seeks practical peace and neighbourly relations.
She stressed firmly that matters of national interest are non-negotiable and cannot be subject to discussion.
Response to illegal Turkish NAVTEX
Addressing Turkey’s recent NOTAM, the spokesperson described it as illegal in both content and its claims regarding demilitarisation.
Zochiou stated that Athens is not surprised by such actions, which are politically motivated, unilateral, and have no practical effect on Greece. Only the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for activities within the Athens FIR.
She confirmed that, in addition to a formal protest to Turkey over the indefinite NAVTEX, Greece will submit a démarche to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She clarified that this action does not constitute escalation but represents a restatement of Turkey’s claims.
Also read: Greece targets Turkish property purchases via EU firms
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