Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis’ interview with the “National Herald” newspaper (24.01.2026)

JOURNALIST: How do you assess the role that Greece can assume as a founding member of the Peace Council proposed by President Trump, and how can it be ensured that this participation would truly enhance peace and stability in the region?

G. GERAPETRITIS: I would like to start by acknowledging that Greece is a firm supporter of initiatives that promote peace and a champion of multilateral diplomacy as a means of building trust and collective cooperation. Indeed, Greece was invited by the American President to participate as a founding member of the Peace Council. It goes without saying that our position is co-determined by our status as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council. In this sense, we must act within the framework of the relevant Security Council Resolution 2803, which establishes that the Peace Council constitutes a temporary mechanism aimed at bringing peace to Gaza. Consequently, the distance between the proposed Charter of the Peace Council and the Security Council Resolution raises concern. In any case, Greece, prudently and reliably, is in constant cooperation with our European partners and other allied countries on this issue.

JOURNALIST: Given your recent announcement that Greece is planning to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, including in the Aegean Sea, despite Turkish threats of casus belli, what is your strategy to ensure that this extension will promote stability in the region without further escalating Greek-Turkish tensions?

G. GERAPETRITIS: The extension of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles is an inalienable right of Greece that stems from the country's sovereignty. As such, we will exercise it unilaterally at a time chosen by the Greek State, as was the case, moreover, 5 years ago, in the Ionian Sea and up to Cape Tainaro. I consider it self-evident that the exercise of a legitimate right cannot and should not cause a crisis in the relationship between two neighboring countries, much less can it constitute a reason for threats. As you know, we are discussing with Türkiye within the framework of a structured dialogue that began about 2 years ago. However, issues of sovereignty are not part of this dialogue. The only difference we have that can be brought before an international process is the delimitation of the EEZ and continental shelf in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, a difference which, moreover, historically constitutes the underlying cause of the great tensions between the two countries. Dialogue does not mean retreat, weakness, or relinquishing national interests. Dialogue is the key to calm, stability and good neighborliness.

JOURNALIST: The work for ending the hostilities in Ukraine appears to be entering its final phase. Difficult compromises seem to be under discussion. What is Greece's / the EU's position on security guarantees and International Law?

G. GERAPETRITIS: From the very first day of the war, nearly four years ago, Greece has stood in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. We consistently uphold International Law, the principle of the inviolability of borders, and oppose any form of revisionism. We naturally support every initiative aimed at ending the war and establishing lasting peace. However, this must be a peace that fully safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and provides for security guarantees that will act as a deterrent against any potential future threat.

Greece will continue to provide tangible support to Ukraine, but it will not deploy troops. We have already expressed our readiness to consider contributing in other ways, outside Ukraine, in the field of maritime surveillance. We will also contribute to ensuring Ukraine's energy security through the Vertical Corridor, as agreed during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Athens last November, in cooperation with the United States as well.

JOURNALIST: Given the tensions surrounding Greenland and the threat of tariffs on European countries, what specific de-escalation mechanism would you see within NATO to prevent a disagreement from turning into a structural crisis of trust in transatlantic relations?

G. GERAPETRITIS: I have always been a strong advocate of dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes. With regard to Greenland, we agree with the United States on the importance of strengthening the Arctic for transatlantic security. This objective can only be achieved collectively and within the framework of NATO, while fully respecting the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. We must do everything within our power to ensure that diplomacy succeeds and to prevent rifts that could jeopardize NATO's existence, as well as peace and security in Europe. The longstanding international security architecture that has been in place for 77 years since NATO's founding obliges us to exhaust every available avenue of consultation.

JOURNALIST: As a member of the UN Security Council, what are the "red lines" of Greek diplomacy in the current crises (Ukraine, Middle East ,the Arctic) and how will you practically measure the effectiveness of Greece's presence in New York (e.g., initiatives, texts, alliances)?

G. GERAPETRITIS: As an elected member of the Security Council for the years 2025-2026, Greece is a strong supporter and uncompromising defender of the fundamental principles and values of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations. At a time of tectonic shifts in the post-war multilateral system, when traditional alliances are being tested and long-standing constants are being shaken, Greece will continue to take initiatives that defend peace, stability and security. Next week, I will be in New York to participate in a critical discussion on the Middle East, focusing on the war in Gaza. Our multifaceted initiatives during the first year of our term concerned, among other things, maritime security and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

These initiatives received unprecedented support from UN member states. We have managed to increase our diplomatic leverage, consolidate alliances and being regarded by all as an honest and credible interlocutor. This is due to the fact that our red lines are firm and unified: the universal application of international law, absolute adherence to the rules of international multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for the sovereignty of all states, the defense of those under attack, and the condemnation of any form of revisionism. These values that guide Greek foreign policy are non-negotiable and allow for no compromise whatsoever. We move forward guided by the security and prosperity of Greece, and our goal, in difficult times, is for Hellenism worldwide to be proud of the country's achievements on the international stage.

January 24, 2026