Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s speech at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly focused on international law, Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, Ukraine, the Greek economy, and artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s role as a factor of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, speaking from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis placed particular emphasis on the need to fully implement international maritime law, as well as on ensuring freedom of navigation in all maritime areas.

“The Law of the Sea must be applied without hindrance. Freedom of navigation must be upheld everywhere,” he said, highlighting the strategic importance of protecting international maritime routes.

Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that the international community is going through a particularly critical period, noting that “conflicts are multiplying, tensions are deepening,” while at the same time there is a “further erosion of self-restraint in international relations.”

Mitsotakis at the UN: A Message to Turkey on Dialogue, International Law, and the Cyprus Issue

Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized dialogue, but also on strict adherence to international law, was placed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the podium of the UN General Assembly, referring to Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, and the war in Ukraine.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke at length about Greek-Turkish relations, reiterating Athens’ position that the only bilateral dispute with Turkey concerns the delimitation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The prime minister noted that Greece has made a “steady effort” to improve relations with Turkey and keep channels of communication open, seeking to avoid an escalation that could lead to unwanted crises.

“It is a delicate relationship. It is a relationship that bears the weight of history,” he noted, pointing out that broader regional challenges make the need for a shared understanding regarding the course of bilateral relations even more urgent.

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“We cannot change our geography”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that any effort to bring the two countries closer together must be based on full respect for international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

“We cannot change our geography. We are destined to live side by side,” he said, reiterating that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea constitutes “the only institutional framework” for resolving the sole long-standing dispute between Greece and Turkey, which concerns the delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.

The prime minister emphasized that dialogue is necessary for peace and prosperity, noting, however, that there can be no meaningful dialogue alongside unilateral actions that challenge the international legal order.

At the same time, he referred to threats of war in response to the exercise of legitimate rights under international law. As he argued, such actions do not contribute to the resolution of disputes, but “only end up deepening them” and undermining stability in the wider region.

“The occupation of Cyprus is a flagrant violation of international law”

A significant portion of the prime minister’s speech also addressed the Cyprus issue, describing it as a “litmus test” for the UN’s credibility.

“Fifty-two years have passed since Turkey illegally invaded Cyprus and continues to occupy it,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, describing the situation as a flagrant violation of international law, the consequences of which continue to this day.

According to the prime minister, the Cyprus issue constitutes a “test of credibility” for the United Nations, as it puts to the test the Organization’s ability to implement its own resolutions and the principles of the Charter.

Mr. Mitsotakis stated that Greece fully supports the recent initiatives of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to create the appropriate conditions that will allow for the resumption of substantive negotiations.

He also expressed the hope that progress will be made by the end of Mr. Guterres’s term, while calling on his successor to continue these efforts, with the aim of reunifying Cyprus, “free from occupying forces,” in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

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“Greece is a bridge-builder, not a troublemaker”

“We are a pillar of stability and peace throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Greece is a bridge-building country, not a troublemaker,” the prime minister stated emphatically.

The Prime Minister also referred to the European “Shields” operation, noting that Greece is at the forefront of efforts to protect freedom of navigation.

The Need to Uphold International Rules

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the rules and institutions that have contributed to maintaining stability in relations between states, noting that this framework “is being tested more and more.”

In this context, he referred to the need to revitalize multilateral cooperation and strengthen international law.

Greece and the Security Council

In his speech, Kyriakos Mitsotakis also addressed Greece’s role in the United Nations. As he noted, the country is completing its second year on the Security Council and is preparing to resume the presidency next month.

At the same time, he made special mention of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing that he has led the Organization “through this exceptionally turbulent decade,” with a commitment to the Charter and the values of the United Nations.

The Prime Minister also described the selection of the next, 10th UN Secretary-General as a “historic opportunity” for the revitalization of the Organization.

The Importance of the Law of the Sea

Kyriakos Mitsotakis made special mention of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which he described as a prime example of the success of multilateral cooperation.

“With 172 contracting parties, UNCLOS provides the binding legal framework within which disputes can be resolved peacefully rather than through the use of force,” he said.

The prime minister linked the importance of international law of the sea to contemporary geopolitical developments, noting that from the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea to the Indo-Pacific, strategic maritime routes are increasingly becoming arenas of geopolitical confrontation.

The Prime Minister’s message from New York was that, at a time of rising international tensions, upholding the rules, international law, and multilateral cooperation is, according to the Greek position, a key factor in the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Greece’s Position on Gaza and Syria

Regarding Gaza, Greece called for the effective implementation of the peace plan agreed upon last year, insisted that Hamas “cannot play any role” in Gaza’s future, and reiterated Greece’s support for the two-state solution.

She also expressed concern about developments in the West Bank and supported efforts to strengthen Lebanon and prevent a security vacuum following the expiration of UNIFIL’s mandate.

Regarding Syria, he called for an inclusive country, free from foreign interference, with greater protection for religious and ethnic communities.

Reference to the war in Ukraine

The prime minister then turned to the war in Ukraine, noting that the conflict has now entered its fifth year since the start of the full-scale Russian offensive.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised the “extraordinary courage” of the Ukrainian people in defending their freedom and reiterated Greece’s support for Ukraine.

“We strongly condemn the attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he stressed, while emphasizing that diplomacy must now lead to an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The prime minister pointed out that Ukraine must have “a decisive say in its own future,” while stressing that “Europe cannot be absent from these negotiations.”

On the state of the Greek economy

Mr. Mitsotakis also referred to Greece’s economic transformation, citing growth faster than the European average, foreign investment, a reduction in public debt, digitalization, and improved borrowing costs.

Looking ahead, he said that Greece will use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027 to work toward a Europe “more competitive, safer, and better able to defend itself,” while also promoting energy and connectivity projects that will link Europe with the Middle East, the Gulf, and North Africa

The prime minister noted that Greece’s public debt is now declining at the fastest rate among OECD countries. At the same time, he highlighted the significant foreign investment being attracted to the country, as well as the successive credit rating upgrades of the Greek economy by international rating agencies.

Greece as an Energy Bridge

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also referred to the role Greece plays in the energy security of the broader region.

As he emphasized, the country is promoting initiatives aimed at strengthening energy interconnections between Europe and the Middle East, as well as ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply at a time when geopolitical challenges have intensified.

Artificial Intelligence Under Human Control

The Prime Minister also made special mention of Artificial Intelligence, noting that its rapid development creates a need for robust rules and meaningful human oversight.

Referring to a song he used to listen to when he was young, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the importance of AI in current developments, emphasizing that this technology must remain under complete human control.

At the same time, he compared the need to ensure control over artificial intelligence to the historical need to control nuclear energy, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and the responsible management of a technology that is changing the world.

Source: iefimerida.gr