Greek Foreign Minister Calls Turkish Casus Belli a Weight on Relations

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has characterized the Turkish *casus belli* (cause for war) as a “huge burden” on both Greek-Turkish relations and Turkey’s European trajectory. In a recent intervention following the latest NATO Summit, Gerapetritis emphasized that under the current United Nations Charter and Statutes, it is inconceivable for a nation seeking to participate in the international security architecture to maintain a threat of war against a neighboring and allied state.

Gerapetritis stated that he believes an lifting of the *casus belli* by the Turkish side is possible, noting that such an action would not only be useful but is, in his view, “due.”

Defense Strategy and Regional Standing

Addressing concerns regarding Greece’s geopolitical position, Gerapetritis rejected claims that Greece is merely a spectator in international developments. He asserted that the country has transitioned into a protagonist, citing the significant strengthening of its defense capabilities since 2019. This includes Greece’s participation in the F-35 program and the ongoing upgrade of its F-16 fleet.

The Foreign Minister addressed speculation regarding Turkish armaments and potential commitments from the United States, stating clearly that there are no such promises or commitments. He dismissed reports suggesting otherwise as speculation, emphasizing that Greece remains a strong partner within NATO and a pillar of the European Union. He further noted that the country’s current military standing and international influence have been substantively enhanced compared to the situation in 2019.

The Necessity of Continued Dialogue

In response to domestic criticism regarding the maintenance of communication channels with Ankara, Gerapetritis defended the government’s strategy of engagement. He argued that refusing to speak with Turkey would constitute a “policy of destruction.”

The Minister highlighted that maintaining such channels has been a consistent practice of all Greek governments during the post-dictatorship era. He pointed to historical precedents, including two meetings between former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, alongside six rounds of exploratory contacts during that period. Gerapetritis maintained that the critical metric for these discussions is whether Greece emerges benefited or harmed, asserting that over the last three years, Greece has emerged “absolutely benefited.”

Addressing Domestic Political Criticism

Gerapetritis strongly refuted allegations from political opponents regarding the existence of “secret diplomacy.” He categorized such claims as products of imagination intended to create difficulties for Greek diplomacy. He assured that he systematically updates the Parliament, the National Council of Foreign Policy, the relevant parliamentary committee, and political leaders, adding that in the modern era, the notion of secret diplomacy is detached from reality.

The Minister also engaged in a direct rebuttal of criticisms made by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras regarding the F-35 program. Gerapetritis stated that the opposition leader’s claims regarding Turkey’s status in the F-35 program during his own tenure were false. According to Gerapetritis, Turkey was not only a customer but a co-producer of the F-35 throughout Tsipras’s term, and was only removed from the program at the end of 2019 due to the purchase of Russian S-400 systems.

Summary of Key Foreign Policy Positions

The following points summarize the administration’s stance as outlined by the Foreign Minister:

* Casus Belli: Viewed as a fundamental obstacle to both bilateral relations and Turkey’s European aspirations, which the Minister believes should be rescinded.
* Diplomatic Channels: Engagement is maintained as a necessary tool of statecraft, consistent with historical precedent, with the government claiming net benefits for Greece over the past three years.
* Defense Procurement: Greece is actively participating in key programs, including the F-35 and F-16 upgrades, while officials state there are no U.S. commitments to Turkey that undermine Greek interests.
* Transparency: The government maintains that all diplomatic efforts are conducted with full transparency toward the Parliament and political leadership, rejecting accusations of secret negotiations.

Gerapetritis concluded by stressing that the current government has successfully strengthened national positions despite the most difficult international environment since the Second World War. He maintained that the New Democracy government continues to seek the trust of citizens based on its record in the economy, defense, and foreign policy.

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