The conditions under which Greece could consider participating in the protection of the Sea of Hormuz, Nikos Dendias, at the Delphi Economic Forum.
As the Minister Minister of National Defence explained, an admitted participation of Greece in such an operation would be after a ceasefire and under conditions. “It is clear that we care about the safety of our crews. We care about the safety of our ships. And we are not at war. In this sense, Greece could discuss such a participation,” he said.
The Greek minister pointed out that the protection of sea routes does not only concern Greece, but also the access of goods to the European market, adding that the existence of only three or four ships in the region does not show seriousness on the part of many EU member states.
In fact, he left clear hints as some countries are too capable in making declarations and formulating positions and very weak in using their resources or in backing up on the ground the declarations they make.
As for the role that Greece is called upon to play in the US – Israel – Iran war, Mr. Dendias pointed out that our country wants peace as soon as possible, but a peace based on acceptance of the rules of international law of the sea in the case of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Greece does not believe that anyone can go and close the Strait of Hormuz tomorrow morning. That for us is not acceptable. Nor is it acceptable for anyone to impose tariffs for ships to pass through international waters,” he added.
Among other things, he reiterated that we are not at war, but of course we have allies and allied obligations, to underline that freedom of navigation is something capital.
“If every country bordering a sea area can ban its use, where will this planet go?“, he asked, adding that blocking the flow of energy works very negatively for the economy. “Energy, oil flow, gas flow is essential for Greece. It is necessary for Europe,” he said.
Then the Minister of National Defence was asked to comment on the rhetoric of sharpening Turkish Foreign Minister on the occasion of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel cooperation, to respond that Greece is not turning against anyone, nor has it made any territorial or naval claims, contrary to the threats of the Turkish side.
As he explained, it is at least impressive that Turkey, which has issued a threat of war, should accuse Greece. “And even to say that this country’s collaborations with other countries are directed against a third party. Where does this follow from? Why should we turn against someone against whom we have no claim?“.
Finally, referring to the Armed Forces, Mr. Dendias spoke of the “huge leap” that the Agenda 2030 will bring, with the transformation of the corps into a “set of weapon systems with a good, serious, trained workforce and a new mechanism of innovation, information and knowledge.”
