Athens, 3 March 2021

Greek Foreign Minister keynote speaker at inter-parliamentary meeting of Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of MED7 countries

An informal meeting of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the EU South (Med Group) was held today in the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP). 

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, was a keynote speaker and in his introductory speech referred to the common challenges in the Mediterranean, such as terrorism, organised crime and border security. Mr. Dendias pointed out that the EU should take on the role of a reliable security provider, using all the tools and means at its disposal, while strengthening its global footprint in order to defend its interests and safeguard the fundamental values and principles of the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister highlighted hybrid threats in the region, in particular the instrumentalisation of the migration issue by Turkey against Greece and Cyprus and noted that sanctions must remain on the table, ready to be imposed, as an instrument to deter illegal and provocative behaviour.  Regarding the situation in Libya he reiterated Greece's longstanding position, i.e. the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the country and also underlined the need to intensify efforts for a political solution in Syria. Finally, he informed participants that Greece wishes to organise the 2021 MED7 Summit in Crete around two axes: security and sustainability in the Mediterranean region. 

MP Konstantinos Gioulekas, Chairman of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hellenic Parliament, in his intervention, referred to the importance of the Med Group, which can act as a stabilising factor to the traditional influence of the financially powerful EU member states of the North. He made special reference to Turkey's aggressive behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean and pointed out its interference in disputes in the wider region, questioning international conventions and infringing upon International Law and the Law of the Sea. On the other hand, he added, by resuming exploratory talks, Greece wished to resolve the only dispute between the two countries, namely the delimitation of the continental shelf and the EEZ. 

MP and former Foreign Minister Georgios Katrougalos, in turn, referred to the big challenges the Mediterranean region is facing, with special emphasis on addressing problems created by large migratory flows and the huge inequalities in the region, pointing out that through close cooperation there needs to be a common European foreign policy in order to build the best possible relations with neighbouring countries. Mr. Katrougalos congratulated the Chairpersons of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the South, for strengthening parliamentary diplomacy through their ongoing meetings. 

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