Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a discussion with the editor of the newspaper “To Vima" Yannis Pretenderis, at the “Athens Policy Dialogues” conference, stressed that “there is no doubt that the US under Trump decided to get involved in the resolution of the Palestinian issue in a more aggressive way than other US administrations in the past.”
The Greek premier stressed that “we could not have reached the ceasefire plan without the active involvement of the US. The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean is more complex. It would be unfair to claim that what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean is happening at the behest of the US.”
He also noted that the Palestinian issue appears to have a roadmap at the moment, which could lead to something resembling a permanent solution rather than a temporary ceasefire. “We are not where we were. Relative stability has come. Humanitarian aid has been restored in Gaza. Let’s not underestimate that,” he added.
Referring to Greece’s relations with Israel, he said the country has maintained the absolutely correct balance. “Our strategic relationship is timeless,” he noted, recalling that the state of Israel was recognised under Constantine Mitsotakis.
“We have, from the very first moment of the nightmare terrorist attack, defended Israel’s right to defend itself, and we have also been critical, privately pointing out that the use of force in Gaza had gone beyond the limits. We participated in humanitarian actions in Gaza and remained committed to this line, saying that the recognition of the Palestinian state would take place at a later stage and only when certain conditions were met,” he said.
On energy, Mitsotakis noted that Greece is developing a strategy that promotes investment in renewable sources because, he said, “we have this potential; we want to produce energy from natural gas and, at the same time, become providers of energy security in southeastern Europe. Greece is currently an exporter of electricity.”
Referring to natural gas, Mitsotakis said that 17 billion cubic metres are currently transported through Greece. “The infrastructure we have built is being fully utilised, and our position is being upgraded. We are taking the first step, and, from being on the margins of the energy map, we are now at the centre. We are also moving into exploratory drilling. The fact that we will have the first attempt in the next 18 months is very important. If you find gas, that changes everything. From being importers, we will have our own, and we will also export,” he said.