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Speaking from the General Assembly podium, Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece’s willingness to maintain open communication channels with Ankara, framed strictly within established international norms.
"We cannot change our geography. We are destined to live side by side, but meaningful dialogue cannot coexist with unilateral actions and threats of war," Mitsotakis stated.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the sole bilateral issue between Athens and Ankara remains the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He underscored that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) serves as the only legitimate framework for resolving maritime disputes. Sovereign rights, he asserted, cannot be contingent upon unilateral claims or the perpetuation of the casus belli policy, noting that ongoing military posturing fundamentally destabilizes the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turning to the Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis framed the unresolved division as a benchmark for international legality and the institutional credibility of the UN. He expressed support for the initiatives led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres aimed at resuming formal talks to achieve a bizonal, bicommunal federation without foreign occupying forces.
Characterizing Greece's diplomatic profile, the Prime Minister described the country as a bridge-builder committed to regional stability. Operating at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Athens has expanded infrastructure to serve as an energy, telecommunications, and logistics hub. He noted the strategic value of Greece’s partnerships across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf, including structured ties with Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Mitsotakis also highlighted Greece's upcoming tenure on the UN Security Council, naming maritime security as a primary agenda item. He emphasized that the preservation of freedom of navigation—from the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz—is essential for global supply chains, international trade, and food security, sectors in which the Greek merchant fleet maintains significant operational capacity.
On regional security, Mitsotakis addressed the worsening humanitarian situation in the Middle East. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid. Reaffirming Greece’s adherence to the two-state solution, he described it as the only viable framework for durable stability between Israelis and Palestinians.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated Greece’s opposition to territorial revisionism, stating that no state's borders should be altered through armed aggression. He underlined that the international community must maintain firm resistance against breaches of sovereignty to prevent establishing precedents elsewhere.
Reviewing the national economy, Mitsotakis outlined Greece’s fiscal recovery following the debt crisis. The Greek economy continues to record growth rates above the eurozone average, sustained by direct foreign investment, fiscal consolidation, and public debt reduction.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister addressed the systemic risks posed by unchecked Artificial Intelligence. Drawing an analogy to early international agreements regarding nuclear capabilities, Mitsotakis called for a multilateral regulatory framework. He stated that reliance on self-regulation by technology corporations is inadequate to protect democratic institutions, human rights, and social stability, urging member states to collaborate on binding global oversight standards.
