Greece's Gerapetritis rejects compromise with Turkey on sovereignty

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated that the preconditions for a substantive discussion with Turkey regarding a compromise that would lead to the International Court of Justice in The Hague have not yet been met. He emphasized that sovereignty issues are non-negotiable and remain strictly off the table.

Gerapetritis clarified that Athens recognizes the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the only Greek-Turkish dispute that can be referred to international jurisdiction. He accused Turkey of attempting to include “arbitrary and unsubstantiated claims” regarding Greek sovereignty in such processes. He noted that while Greece has invested in structured dialogue with Ankara over the last three years, the positions of both nations remain essentially different.

In an interview with Political newspaper, the Minister also addressed the right of Greece to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles and the ongoing Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection project. He highlighted the European dimension of the interconnection project, noting the involvement of the French company Meridiam. Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece's commitment to international law and its strategic alliances, including its defense agreement with France.