Nikos Dendias to Ian Borg: “Greece faces daily hostile rhetoric from Turkey”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in joint statements with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg after their meeting in Valletta earlier today, had the opportunity to inform his counterpart about the counterparts in the Eastern Mediterranean and also in Greece.
“Revisionism has no place in the 21st century”
As Mr. Dendias pointed out, in his joint statements with Malta’s Minister for Years Ian Borg after their meeting in Valletta earlier today, he had the opportunity to inform his counterpart about most of the Eastern Mediterranean, where, as he pointed out, the Hellas. “faces almost daily an unprecedented hostile rhetoric from Turkey, a rhetoric that is clearly unacceptable.”
He also underlined that Greece and Malta share a common maritime tradition and a common homeland, the Mediterranean Sea.
“Our countries share the same strong commitment to peace and stability based on International Law, including the International Law of the Sea, and of course the principles of the United Nations Charter. Principles referring to respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries, as well as the prohibition of violence, the use of force and the threat of use of force,’ pointed out Mr. Dendias and stressed that unfortunately these authorities are under attack.
The Foreign Minister also stated that during the meeting the situation in Libya was discussed and he reiterated his satisfaction that the European Union, Cyprus, the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Egypt and many other countries, have come out publicly and denounced the recent signing of the “memorandum” between the government of Tripoli and Turkey.
“For Greece, but also for Malta, it is a common goal to promote stability in Libya. And we should work in this direction within the EU and other international frameworks”he emphasized.
He referred to the words of the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abella, who in his recent speech to the UN General Assembly said that “Libya should transition to more peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous times” and indeed “without interference from foreign actors”.
He also noted that ways of strengthening the bilateral cooperation between Greece and Malta in the economy, tourism, renewable energy sources and logistics were discussed, as well as cooperation in the EU and the IMO, where the interests of the two countries converge.
“I see our national interests converging”
He pointed out that they referred to the “common challenge of illegal immigration, and how we can deal with it”, while reiterating the great importance that both countries attach to UNCLOS.
Mr. Dendias congratulated Mr. Borg on the election of Malta to the UN Security Council for the period 2023-2024 and noted that Greece “he looks forward to building on the work he will do as a member of the UNSC in 2025-26, as he is not elected in the 2024 elections.”
It was also agreed to expand the cooperation of the two countries with specific steps, in the UN and other international organizations, as well as in trade, investments, but also in various forums among themselves the MED9.