Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has reiterated that Greece must defend international law and pursue strategic autonomy as the world undergoes “tectonic” shifts in energy, connectivity and global politics.
Speaking at the 6th Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit, organized by powergame.gr and The Economist, Mr. Gerapetritis warned of a “difficult juncture” marked by three dramatic phenomena: sweeping changes in the global political arena, a revolution in political communication driven by social media and fake news, and a profound shift in how political campaigns shape a now-blurred reality.
“This is an explosive mix that creates false narratives and ample room for manipulation,” he said. “As a side effect, we are seeing the retreat of international law—a terrifying development because it is one of the pillars of the postwar world. International law is the strength of the weaker, but that environment is now trembling.”
Mr. Gerapetritis said Greece has emerged more resilient to populism, values political stability and has become a stronger international player with close ties to partners such as Egypt. He stressed the need to renegotiate principles around “realism” to restore peaceful conflict resolution.
Citing energy as a case in point, he said Greece has become a regional energy hub over the past five years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He also called for reduced overreliance on the U.S. within NATO, greater defense autonomy through investment, and a more competitive stance toward China in global trade.
“Social cohesion is the third and most important pillar,” he concluded.