Today, as Stelios Petsas, I feel compelled to speak clearly and without hesitation about what Greece is facing on the international stage. The country does not negotiate its security, the integrity of Cyprus, or international law. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and dangerous.
During the recent parliamentary debate, it became evident that there are non-negotiable red lines:
- Turkey, a country that occupies 40% of Cyprus and threatens us with casus belli, cannot join NATO or the EU’s common defense strategy.
- Greece always acts with good-neighborly intentions, but always according to international law, which we have ratified and Turkey has not.
There is no room for “bargaining” or double standards. Any attempt to portray otherwise in public discourse is misleading and dangerous for the country.
The multidimensional foreign policy we pursue is not theoretical. It is strategic, serious, and effective action, defending our sovereign rights. I want to stress that this is not abstract—it is the reality we face every day internationally.
It is no coincidence that PASOK and the European Socialists agreed on this framework with a clear stance: no double standards. We cannot speak about Ukraine or Palestine while ignoring Cyprus. This is a message I have communicated to all our international counterparts, and it has proven effective.
The debate over the Unknown Soldier and the victims of the Tempi tragedy shows one more thing: Greece does not allow anyone to exploit suffering for political games. Public discourse must serve truth, not create false impressions or division.
In practice, Greece defends its sovereign rights:
- We will not allow Turkey to join SAFE while a casus belli exists against us.
- We will not tolerate hypocrisy in international forums, while we abide by international law and Turkey does not.
- Our policy is guided by values, international presence, and defense of the homeland, not by communication games or political gain.
As I have demonstrated in the past, even outside government, Greece can achieve national victories through international presence and seriousness. The arms embargo against Turkey, our stance in European forums—these all show that when there is determination, Greece can be a strong player on the international stage.
In conclusion, the obvious must be stated: Greece does not negotiate Casus Belli, does not bargain over Cyprus, and does not compromise with injustice. Anyone who doubts this should look at our history, our presence in Europe, and the decisions we make for our country. Greece is united, strong, and determined, and I will continue to defend this position by all means necessary.