Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Monday met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on his first visit to Kyiv.
Their talks focused on strengthening relations and cooperation between Greece and Ukraine, relations between the EU and Ukraine, as well as current regional developments, with a focus on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
I was welcomed by #Ukraine’s FM @DmytroKuleba on my first visit to #Kiev. Talks to focus on strengthening 🇬🇷🇺🇦relations & cooperation, EU-Ukraine relations, as well as on current regional developments, especially in #EasternMediterranean & #BlackSea regions. pic.twitter.com/E0vN5ZwZZL
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) July 5, 2021
After the meeting, the Greek minister made the following statement:
I would suggest that the basic principle of both is what is a regular tactic for Greece: the strict adherence to international law, the strict adherence to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the strict adherence to abstaining from threats or the use of force.
I reiterate that this is the mandate I have from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and it is always the position of Greece; it supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders.
We repeat this consistently in all fora and in all the international organizations in which we participate. Both in the European Union and in NATO and the OSCE. And we will continue to do so regardless of cost to us because it is a matter of principle.
We can become the ideal ally and assistant of Ukraine in its European course because we want to strengthen these relations. We are a country on the east side of the European Union, Ukraine is a country that is a neighbor to us.
At this stage, if we were to formulate an opinion, we would propose that Ukraine take full advantage of all the provisions of the Association Agreement and continue what its government is already doing, namely the necessary reforms.
We also support Ukraine’s choice to strengthen ties with NATO. And we are actively participating in the security measures for Ukraine through our airbase in Aktio, the periodic presence of our Navy in the Black Sea and in general with the forces with which we contribute as a permanent member of NATO.
To be honest, we are surprised when Ukraine does not align itself like any other country, which wants to strengthen its ties with the European Union, with the decisions of the Union’s common foreign policy.
In fact, as regards actions that violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the member states of the Union and are contrary to international law.
I think this is the basis on which Ukraine itself addresses the international arena for its own rights and has our support for it.
We hope that Ukraine will soon be in line with European foreign policy.