ATHENS – [ANA-MPA]
“Greece continues to support Türkiye’s European prospects, but Ankara must clarify whether it truly seeks accession to the European family or a ‘partnership of equal partners’ with the European Union, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou said at a Kyklos Ideon think‑tank event on May 18, titled ‘National action plan under conditions of global uncertainty’.
Participation in the EU requires the acceptance of joint rules, balances, and compromises, not simply an autonomous path of special status, the deputy FM added.
Papadopoulou underlined that a truly European Türkiye that would function on the basis of European values and with an EU manner of communication would provide the best possible outcome for Greek-Turkish relations in the long run. She noted however that current reality is far from such a possibility.
Commenting on Türkiye’s ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine and a related bill its government appears to be drafting, the deputy FM said that Greece cannot take a stance before reading the bill’s exact contents, while Athens will react depending on what is contained in it, and will defend its sovereign rights. Papadopoulou also underlined that there is a clear distinction between claims and established rights; Türkiye will not abandon its claims, nor will Greece abandon its established rights, but the condition of calm Greek-Turkish relations is mutual respect of each side’s basic interests.
The Greek official also referred to the Balkans, noting that Greece insists that progress in Ukraine and Moldova cannot come at the expense of accession to the EU for the West Balkans, whose European prospects Greece considers strategically important. The Balkans are Greece’s immediate geopolitical neighborhood and there can be no ‘black void’ in the heart of Europe, particularly at a period of increasing external and ‘malignant’ influences, she noted.
Among other topics the minister mentioned were the new phase of competition between the US and China, Iran and its strategic importance in the Middle East, and European defense, which will take time, massive funding, and high technology.
