Paris, quadrilateral and Israel - Mitsotakis' barrage of diplomatic contacts - What he expects from contact with Netanyahu

The Greek side is actively moving behind the scenes, focusing on securing power on the geopolitical chessboard of the Eastern Mediterranean by deepening relations with Israel, as there is a common understanding of developments in the region. According to government sources, during the meeting, “the entire spectrum of bilateral relations is expected to be discussed, with an emphasis on defense cooperation, as well as regional developments focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria.”

Netanyahu may “open the door of the White House” for Greece
Mr. Netanyahu is one of the leaders who has direct access to Donald Trump, with whom they maintain excellent relations, and the government is investing diplomatically in an Athens-Jerusalem-Washington triangle, while experienced diplomats estimate that Mr. Netanyahu can “open the door of the White House” for the Greek side. Israel’s role, however, is not limited there.

A competent diplomatic source points out the different interests it has in Syria in relation to Turkey, which is attempting to control the new regime, while meaningfully emphasizing that “it is the first country to impose a diplomatic veto and try to prevent Ankara’s reintegration into the F35 program.” In any case, the lifting of the "embargo" on Turkey will not be decided by the White House, as the same source notes, but "by the competent committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate".

In this context, the meetings that Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis had with the heads of the Committees from both parties during his recent visit to the United States were not accidental, in order to build relationships of trust and mutual cooperation.

The role of Chevron - It practically recognizes the Greek EEZ
The new interest of Chevron (the world's 2nd largest private American energy company) in hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete, following its already announced participation in the program west of the Peloponnese, has a strong diplomatic impact on the consolidation of national interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. As government sources emphasize, the American multinational effectively recognizes the Greek EEZ in the region and is interpreted as a stigma of the Trump administration's intentions towards Greece at this critical geopolitical juncture. It is also noted that Libya, which recently auctioned maritime plots in its own EEZ, also followed this median line, essentially respecting Greek sovereign rights and calling into question the illegal memorandum with Turkey. The relevant ministerial decisions will follow in the immediate future from the Ministry of Energy, with the responsible Minister Stavros Papastavrou pointing out that Chevron's interest "is a strong indication of the existence of significant natural energy resources, critical for our country, the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe".

The importance of the quadrilateral Greece - France - Cyprus - Lebanon
The quadrilateral Greece-France-Cyprus-Lebanon Summit meeting to be held on Friday in Paris, which is the first of its kind among the four countries and at the highest level, is also part of the same framework. As government sources note, "it is taking place at a time when the landscape in the region is being reshaped and regional developments are "running". Meanwhile, it highlights that Greece is present in the developments, but also a factor of stability and security in the wider region".

Mr. Mitsotakis was, last December, the first foreign leader to visit Lebanon after the ceasefire agreement was reached and had contacts with the country's leadership, expressing Greece's intention to assist in strengthening the country's state structures.

Mitsotakis in Paris today for security in Ukraine
Today, the Prime Minister will pass through the door of the Elysee Palace to participate in the Leaders' Summit for Peace and Security in Ukraine, which is organized at the initiative of the French President. As noted by the Maximos Palace, Greece participates at the highest level in the consultations regarding the peace process in Ukraine, while the Paris Summit is taking place within the framework of the effort to reach a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine, a few days after the meeting of EU leaders at the European Council Summit on March 20 and just one day after the announcements that followed the US consultations with both Ukraine and Russia regarding the efforts for a ceasefire.