Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasized that maintaining open communication channels with Turkey is a nationally beneficial strategy with tangible results. Speaking on the SKAI TV show Antirotsoi (‘Misfits’) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, he clarified: “Calm waters are useful—but they are not an end in themselves.”
A Strategy of Dialogue and National Interest
Gerapetritis underscored that Greece’s approach to dialogue with Turkey serves two core objectives: de-escalating tensions while consistently advancing national interests. “I’ll be clear: the effort to establish a more functional relationship with Turkey is, in my view, a nationally beneficial policy—one that has delivered concrete outcomes,” he stated.
Tangible Results So Far
Among the key achievements he highlighted were a sharp decline in irregular migration flows—particularly contrasting today’s situation with conditions just a few years ago in the Eastern Aegean islands. At that time, reception facilities were severely overcrowded and living conditions extremely difficult. Today, those facilities are practically empty. Instead, Gerapetritis noted, there is a significant influx of Turkish tourists, boosting local economies.
He also pointed to a marked reduction in violations of Greek national airspace and improved bilateral trade relations.
No Progress on Core Disputes
Nonetheless, Gerapetritis acknowledged that improved diplomatic climate has not translated into meaningful progress on fundamental issues dividing the two countries—especially maritime boundary delimitation. “There has been no substantial improvement on the underlying major issues between our two countries, and above all on the delimitation of maritime zones,” he said.
He stressed that Greece’s strategy goes beyond preserving calm: “Calm waters are useful—but they are not an end in themselves. What we seek is the strengthening of our own national positions.”
New Ground for Greek Diplomacy
In response to criticism over continuing dialogue with Ankara, Gerapetritis argued that current policy has created new, advantageous realities for Greece. “The Greek government’s stance—simultaneously opening channels for crisis de-escalation while safeguarding national interests—has brought to the table issues that never appeared on the agenda since the restoration of democracy in 1974,” he said.
Addressing claims that dialogue amounts to concession, he reminded viewers that every post-1974 Greek government—including that of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras—maintained some form of communication with Turkey. “Every government since the Metapolitefsi has engaged in talks with Turkey. There has not been a single government that did not talk with Turkey,” he affirmed.