Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly to international challenges, security in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, as well as developments in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Mr. Mitsotakis said that the country is a “bridge-builder” and “is not a troublemaker,” highlighting its strategic partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Gulf.
He underlined the need to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation, at a time when, as he said, conflicts and geopolitical tensions are multiplying and the rules governing relations between states are being tested.
He made special reference to the Law of the Sea and the need to ensure freedom of navigation. As he noted, international sea lanes constitute critical infrastructure for global trade, energy security and supply chains.
In this context, he referred to Greece’s participation in the European operation “Aspides” in the Red Sea, noting that the country contributes to the protection of navigation and maritime security.
He made special reference to the need for the full implementation of the International Law of the Sea and to ensuring freedom of navigation in all maritime areas.
“The Law of the Sea must apply unhindered. Freedom of navigation must be implemented everywhere,” he stressed, underlining the strategic importance of protecting international maritime routes.
Referring to Greece’s relations with Israel, he underlined that the country has built a deep strategic relationship with Tel Aviv, while at the same time maintaining close ties with the Arab world. As he noted, this ability to maintain relations with both sides constitutes a significant advantage for Athens and allows it to participate in an open and sincere dialogue on regional developments.
Lebanon and the need to strengthen the state
He made special reference to Lebanon, estimating that there is an opportunity to create the conditions for a long period of peace and stability.
Greece, as he stressed, supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and the efforts of its government. A strong and functional Lebanese state, according to the Greek position, would strengthen both national security and regional stability.
In this context, Athens states that it will continue to provide support to Lebanon and the country’s Armed Forces, underlining the importance of joint action to prevent the creation of a security vacuum.
Syria at the center of regional stability
The prime minister also referred to Syria, which he described as an important factor for the stability of the wider region.
As he stressed, long-term peace requires a stable and inclusive Syria, free from foreign interventions and regional rivalries. A country, as he said, in which every citizen will feel safe.
Recognizing the steps that have been taken by the new Syrian authorities, he also underlined the need for further progress, especially with regard to the protection of rights and the security of all religious communities.
He also included the Greek Orthodox minority in his reference, pointing out the need to protect it from violence and Islamist extremism.
Libya: Support for institutions and delimitation of maritime zones
The discussion on regional stability also extended to Libya. Mr. Mitsotakis spoke of common interests and welcomed efforts to reunify the country.
A sustainable and stable Libya, free from external interventions, would be to the benefit not only of the Libyan people but also of the wider region, he noted.
Greece, he added, is ready to support Libyan institutions in protecting the borders and managing migration, while he reiterated Athens’ commitment to reaching an agreement on the delimitation of maritime zones.
On Turkey: “We cannot change our geography – We are condemned to live side by side”
The prime minister then turned to Greek-Turkish relations, noting that over the past three years Greece has pursued a systematic policy of rapprochement aimed at improving relations, restoring trust and keeping channels of communication open.
The aim of this policy, as he said, is to prevent the escalation of tensions and the risk of an unnecessary crisis.
He described relations between Greece and Turkey as fragile and burdened by their historical weight, underlining the need for a common understanding regarding the way disputes are resolved, on the basis of international law and the principles of good neighborly relations.
“We cannot change our geography. We are condemned to live side by side,” was the prime minister’s characteristic message.
Mr. Mitsotakis reiterated that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea constitutes the institutional framework for addressing the Greek-Turkish dispute regarding the delimitation of the continental shelf and the EEZ.
At the same time, he stressed that dialogue is a basic prerequisite for peace and prosperity, noting however that there can be no substantial progress when it is accompanied by unilateral actions that challenge the international legal order. Also, as the Prime Minister stressed, no progress can be made when there are threats of war in response to the exercise of lawful rights under international law.
Cyprus issue: “Open wound”
In his speech he also made special reference to the Cyprus issue, describing it as an “open wound” in the region.
Fifty-two years after the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation, the Cyprus issue continues to be, according to the prime minister, a test for the credibility of the international system and the implementation of UN resolutions.
Greece, as he said, supports the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to create the appropriate conditions that will allow the resumption of substantive talks.
The goal, according to the Greek position, remains the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Ukraine: “Diplomacy must lead to a ceasefire”
The prime minister also referred to the war in Ukraine, condemning attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure.
He expressed Greece’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people and underlined the need for a diplomatic solution, a ceasefire and peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.
At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine must have an active say in decisions concerning its future, while Europe, as he said, cannot be absent from the relevant negotiations.
Sudan: Risk of broader destabilization
Reference was also made to the war in Sudan, a conflict that has caused a huge humanitarian crisis and, as the prime minister underlined, has effects that go beyond the country’s borders.
At the same time, he warned that the continuation of the conflict could trigger a new migration wave, with Europe being among the regions that would be directly affected.
The Greek economy
On the domestic front, the prime minister referred to Greece’s course, recalling that the country emerged from a deep economic crisis, during which GDP had shrunk significantly.
Today, as he argued, the Greek economy is growing at rates higher than the European average, while the country is attracting significant foreign direct investment.
He also spoke of improved fiscal performance and a de-escalation of public debt, while attributing a significant part of the change to structural reforms and the digitization of the state.
According to the prime minister, economic resilience is directly linked to the strengthening of the country’s institutions, defense and deterrent capability.
Greece and Europe: Energy, connectivity and security
Mr. Mitsotakis also referred to Greece’s role in Europe and the geopolitical importance of its geographical position.
As he stressed, energy and digital connectivity, ports, electricity networks and sea lanes now constitute critical factors of power.
Greece, according to the prime minister, seeks to leverage its position as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, the Gulf and North Africa, while at the same time strengthening its role as an energy and trade hub.
He placed particular emphasis on the safety of navigation, recalling that the overwhelming majority of global trade is carried out by sea. The protection of sea lanes, as he noted, is therefore an issue that concerns the international community as a whole.
Artificial intelligence: “The alarm bell must ring”
Closing his speech, Kyriakos Mitsotakis devoted a significant part to the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Mr. Mitsotakis argued that the risks from an “uncontrolled and unregulated” development of AI could outweigh its benefits, citing possible job losses, concentration of wealth and impacts on human relationships.
He rejected as “naive” the idea of voluntary self-regulation by technology companies and called for AI companies to be licensed on the basis of specific requirements concerning human values, transparency and security. Comparing the regulation of artificial intelligence to that of nuclear technology, he said that “The same must be done now, and it must be done quickly.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis concluded his intervention by underlining the need for international cooperation, institutional credibility and adaptation to the major geopolitical and technological changes shaping the global environment.
*The full text of the prime minister’s speech at the UN is attached in the "Accompanying Material" column
Source: ertnews.gr