ATHENS – “Greece is facing daily threats emanating from our neighbour, Türkiye. We address this challenge, by always underlining the respect for International Law. The principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during his meeting with former former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, on Thursday.

Referring to Turkey’s announcement after the meeting of the National Security Council that it will use “all legal means and methods to protect its interests”, Nikos Dendias pointed out that he understands this reference to “legal means” as an acknowledgement, even if indirectly, by Türkiye that it has to respect International law. Obviously, he noted, this includes, at a minimum, abandoning the threat of war against Greece, the infamous casus belli.

He reiterated that Greece is ready to engage always in a constructive dialogue with Türkiye, but on a solid basis, the basis of International Law, the UN Charter and the International Law of the Sea.

Referring to Ban Ki-moon, he said: “You have served the International Community for a decade under very challenging conditions.”

“Unfortunately, humanity’s situation, as you have observed, has not particularly improved. On the contrary. Revisionist forces are trampling over fundamental principles of International Law. Especially the UN Charter, whose article 2.4 expressly prohibits the threat or use of force. And this is the situation we are facing today in Ukraine.”

Dendias concluded with the following: |Allow me to thank you again so much for your presence in Athens and the ministry today. It is a great honour for us. And, if I may say so, the projection of the United Nations idea in this difficult period is very important for our country, our region, and also for the world.”