The Greek government and the Foreign Ministry are expending every effort to prevent problems in the electricity linking between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis said at the Delphi Economic Forum X on Thursday.

The research and sinking of the cable "will begin at the right time," Gerapetritis said, adding that there is no deadline. "We are not acting on our own, nor are we going to do something that contravenes international law; but on the other hand, we demand that each side exhibits the relevant respect," the FM said.

Gerapetritis refuted the idea that Greek-Turkish relations are frozen. Despite the disagreements, the relationship between Greece and Turkiye will continue in an organized and timely way, he added. Asked about the next meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council, he said that a date has not been set but will take place at some point.

Greece boosts its defense, balances fiscally, and creates stability so that it is not affected by any economic or trade crisis, and it aims at peace and prosperity, the minister pointed out. "We are prepared, we are alert, but we are the first to wish for a peaceful neighborhood," Gerapetritis underlined.

Speaking of the interest in hydrocarbon exploration by Exxon and Chevron, he said that their presence in Greece "is a stamp of success for the Greek economy, political stability, and of course, a reward of the Greek politics and Greek foreign policy and the Greek energy policy." 

Referring to the imposition of tariffs globally by the United States, the FM said that the priority was to defuse crises and to find solutions that benefit everyone in global trade.

Gerapetritis reiterated Greece's stance in support of Ukraine, and - asked about armaments - said that Greece must always be on the alert, as it is part of neighborhood of the world that is being attacked on all sides.