National Defense Minister Stresses Sovereignty in Greece-Turkey Relations

National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized on Monday that matters of national sovereignty cannot be the subject of a dialogue with any country.

He made these remarks while addressing a seminar on “The Lausanne Treaty: 100 years after its signing,” held at the Officers’ Mess of the Armed Forces.

Dendias stated, “Any discussion between Greece and Turkey and any serious hope for a new chapter in our relations, 100 years after the signature of the Lausanne Treaty, must consider as absolutely given the provisions of the Lausanne Treaty and of the International Law of the Sea, in the framework of the principles of the UN charter.”

He further noted that this foundation underpins Greece’s clear stance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He stressed that dialogue between states must have limits and occur within a certain law framework.

Regarding the Lausanne Treaty, Dendias emphasized, “No one in the international community should be allowed to envision disputes or, to put it more politely, ‘updates’ of the Lausanne Treaty. Because, in reality, no one can be allowed to imagine or envision changes in borders, either in our wider region or anywhere else. And we must most clearly condemn all revisionist attitudes.”

He described the treaty as a guarantee of territorial integrity and political stability for the region, pointing out that it was an international agreement signed by several countries.