Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis brought the second annual Athens Policy Dialogues event to a close on Friday, engaging in a comprehensive interview that spanned foreign policy, domestic affairs, and election prospects. The event, themed ‘The Eastern Mediterranean in Flux’, was organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, The Council – Greece in Global Affairs, and the historic Athens weekly “To VIMA”.
Maintaining an ‘Operational’ Relationship with Turkey
During his discussion with To Vima publisher Yiannis Pretenteris, Mitsotakis emphasized his government’s objective to maintain an “operational” relationship with Turkey, acknowledging it as an often-challenging neighbor. He asserted that Greece’s strategy is primarily geared towards regional stability, which includes de-escalation of tensions with Turkey, aiming for a more functional relationship. Mitsotakis highlighted that this effort has already yielded positive results.
He further clarified that this diplomatic approach is coupled with the reinforcement of national positions, underscoring that dialogue with Ankara does not compromise Greek interests. Mitsotakis indicated that conditions are now favorable for another session of the High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) between Greece and Turkey, anticipated in the first half of 2026.
Prior to the signing of the “Athens Declaration,” Mitsotakis noted that bilateral relations with Turkey were “alarmingly tense.” He stated that the Declaration confirmed the two nations’ ability to sustain a functional relationship, evidenced by successful cooperation in managing migration flows, an area where “tangible positive results have been achieved.”
However, Mitsotakis also underscored that Athens has established clear boundaries where necessary, citing participation in European defense programs. He stressed that de-escalation does not imply a retreat on matters of principle, pointing to Turkey’s current exclusion from the SAFE defense procurement and production scheme. Greece had previously demanded that Turkey revoke a 1995 grand assembly resolution that declared Greece’s right to extend territorial waters in the Aegean beyond six nautical miles as a ‘casus belli’.
Conversely, the Prime Minister highlighted the highly successful fast-track tourist visa scheme, which has enabled tens of thousands of Turkish citizens to visit 12 eastern Aegean islands after significant bureaucratic hurdles were removed and the process streamlined.
The Complexities of the Libya Issue
Addressing the situation in Libya, Mitsotakis acknowledged its continued complexity. He highlighted a significant achievement of Greek foreign policy: maintaining a stable communication channel “with both sides of the Libyan reality,” referring to the rival governments in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Libya gained direct attention from Athens in 2019 when the internationally recognized provisional government in Tripoli signed a contentious maritime delimitation agreement with Turkey. Athens, the EU, and other regional states have deemed this agreement baseless and illegal. Notably, the agreement effectively “erases” all Greek island territory, including Crete, from the map, attempting to portray the Asia Minor mainland and Libya’s North African coasts as bordering.
Regarding the issue of irregular migration originating from Libya, which significantly impacts the East Mediterranean and Greece, Mitsotakis stated that the situation has improved compared to the previous six months.
Greece’s Enduring Relationship with Israel
Shifting to another critical area of the eastern Mediterranean, Mitsotakis emphasized the deep-rooted and substantial strategic relationship between Greece and Israel, exemplified by the “3+1 format” (Greece, Israel, Cyprus, and the US).
He affirmed that Greece unequivocally supported Israel’s right to self-defense following the October 7 Hamas attack. However, he also conceded that Israel’s military response to the terrorist attack often went too far.
Realism on the Cyprus Issue
On the long-standing Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis asserted that with the previous Turkish Cypriot leadership in the Turkish-occupied areas of the north, “there was no real room for progress.”
He further stressed that Ankara’s stance on a “two-state solution” is both unthinkable and unacceptable, not only for Greece but for all parties involved in the process. “I am not pessimistic about the Cyprus issue, but I am a realist,” he concluded.
Source: https://www.tovima.com/politics/mitsotakis-closes-out-athens-policy-dialogues-with-wide-ranging-interview/
