Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Tassos Hadjivassiliou made statements on Türkiye-Greece relations and Kastellorizo (Meis), which has long been at the center of disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.
Hadjivassiliou said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to the island had “high symbolic importance” and demonstrated Athens’s determination to defend every part of the country.
“Kastellorizo is the heart of Greece”
Hadjivassiliou also addressed debates sometimes held in Türkiye regarding Kastellorizo’s geographical position.
The Greek official argued that the island could not be considered a “remote” area, saying that Kastellorizo was part of Greece’s sovereign territory and that they regarded it as “the heart of Greece.”
He targeted Türkiye’s marine parks
The most notable part of the statement from Türkiye’s perspective concerned Ankara’s plans for marine parks.
Hadjivassiliou alleged that Türkiye was trying to encircle Kastellorizo through the marine parks it had announced recently. The Greek deputy minister described Türkiye’s moves as “illegal” and argued that Greece’s own initiatives complied with international law.
He also addressed Türkiye-Greece dialogue
Despite his strong statements, Hadjivassiliou also said that the dialogue process maintained recently between Ankara and Athens had produced results.
The Greek official said a communication mechanism had been established between the two countries across three separate channels: political dialogue, confidence-building measures and a “positive agenda.” He added that Athens had also strengthened its armed forces during the same period.
Kastellorizo returns to the eastern Mediterranean agenda
Located close to the Turkish coast, Kastellorizo remains one of the most critical points in the eastern Mediterranean maritime jurisdiction dispute between Ankara and Athens.
Hadjivassiliou’s statements brought the sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction disputes surrounding Kastellorizo back into focus following Mitsotakis’s visit to the island and Türkiye’s steps concerning marine parks.
