“As countries of the north and southern neighborhoods of the EU and NATO, we face common challenges, as well as asymmetric and hybrid threats that serve as a reminder that Europe’s security is indivisible,” Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed on Wednesday in joint statements following his meeting with Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.
Gerapetritis noted that “threats do not necessarily arise from conventional means but from means that are difficult for any single state to confront by itself,” adding that “for this reason, solidarity among states, and solidarity among the members of the European Union, is absolutely essential.”
The foreign minister pointed out that Greece and Finland, as partners in the European Union and allies within NATO, share “common priorities regarding the complex challenges of the current geopolitical landscape. We converge in our views on the future of the European Union – a strong, enlarged, competitive and strategically autonomous Europe.”
Regarding enlargement, he noted that the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family remains a shared objective. He recalled that Greece, as the oldest EU member state in the region, remains a steadfast supporter of the European perspective of the Western Balkans, based on the principles of conditionality and individual merit, with full respect for fundamental values, international law and the good neighbor relations that should govern states.
On the issue of Europe’s competitiveness, he stated: “W agree that there is a need to build an environment supporting growth, investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry amid heightened geopolitical challenges and uncertainties.”
“Finland and Greece, representing the European North and South, respectively, share the belief that geography continues to play a central role in geopolitical developments. We consider regional dialogue essential and, for this reason, we will further develop our cooperation with the esteemed minister on the critical issues concerning Europe.”
Finnish Foreign Minister: We hope that Russia will return to the path of International Law
Valtonen praised the tremendous progress that has been achieved in Greece under the current government.
“In Finland, we have been rather slow lately, and we are now looking to Greece to see how things are being done here,” she said, adding:
“What unites us is our belief in shared values, and it is a particular honor to make these statements in the birthplace of democracy.”
There are forces seeking to undermine the foundations upon which our prosperity is built, she said, adding that Russia has brought war back to Europe, while other countries with similar regimes are attacking Europe from within.
Russia had attempted to conquer Finland in the past but the country had successively repelled the attempt during World War II, and remained independent, the Finnish foreign minister stated.
“The unity we have demonstrated in the face of this aggression has produced results. We hope that Russia will return to the path of International Law,” she said.
She further stressed that Finland supports the full restoration of maritime flows. “We must ensure that nothing related to the war is exported from Russia.”
Regarding the Middle East, the minister said she is grateful that Greece is cooperating with regional stakeholders. Greece demonstrated an ability to foresee developments. In order for us to remain resilient and defend the principles – democracy and the rule of law – we need a thriving economy, she concluded.
