Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Venizelos, how do you envision the foreign policy of the EU in general, and Greece in particular?

Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic: Greece’s foreign policy, in line with the European Union policy, is founded on the principles of international law, democracy and the peaceful resolution of differences. The EU, by its very nature, and Greece – as an EU member state – approach regional and global problems through the prism of multilateral cooperation and dialogue. 

The notion that countries’ shared interests are greater than their conflicting interests is fundamental to the EU, and this is why, even in the midst of a crisis, the member states are working to further deepen the Union. In other words, peace, stability, security and cooperation are in everyone’s interest: they provide the framework for development and prosperity. 

This approach to foreign policy has made Greece a factor for stability in its wider neighbourhood of southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. In the energy sector, this is epitomized by the regional cooperation on the TAP project, but also by the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) initiative, which would carry gas to Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.