Greece an Emerging Energy Hub, Greek FM Gerapetritis Says

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis highlighted Greece’s upgraded role as an emerging energy hub in Southeastern Europe during his address at the annual meeting of the Institute of International Relations, held at a particularly critical moment for European and Euro-Atlantic security at the Athens Security Forum.

In his speech, Gerapetritis discussed Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue while also proposing that the Five-Party Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean be held in Athens.

Regarding energy matters, he referred to the outcomes and agreements of the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation Conference, which have positioned Greece as a regional energy hub in Southeastern Europe. He also emphasized the importance of achieving national energy self-sufficiency.

Defending Greece’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Turkey, Gerapetritis stressed that the current period of calm has allowed the country to reorganize and further strengthen its armed forces, recover from a decade-long financial crisis, and enhance its international standing. Most importantly, he noted, Greece has been able to assert its sovereignty and sovereign rights on the ground for the first time.

“The country’s strong position,” he said, “enables it to put forward this proposal for the Five-Party Conference.” He acknowledged, however, that challenges remain—chief among them the fact that Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. “The only condition for sitting at the table,” he added, “is respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the European acquis.”

Gerapetritis underlined that the current era demands regional cooperation and that “Greece, at this moment, holds a leadership position that allows it to promote such cooperation to its own benefit.”

He noted that Greece, through the Prime Minister, has proposed a major regional cooperation framework in the Eastern Mediterranean, involving all neighboring countries with which Greece shares maritime borders. The agenda includes issues related to civil protection, marine environmental preservation, and migration, as well as more complex topics such as connectivity and the delimitation of maritime zones.

Source: tovima.com