Tsipras was sworn in as the new foreign minister, and then the ceremony of handing over the affairs took place at the Greek Foreign Ministry. He warmly thanked his predecessor, Nikos Kotzias, who resigned a few days ago. According to the prime minister, Kotzias strengthened Greece's role on the international arena, created a new foreign policy doctrine, prepared and signed an agreement on the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
"In 2015, we received a country not only with economic problems, discredited in financial markets and among creditors, a pariah in the international economic arena, but also a country with a weakened geopolitical role. Today, the prestige and geopolitical opportunities of the country are strengthened. It is the leading power on the Balkans and the pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean," Tsipras said, also supporting the actions of the former minister to expand the country's territorial waters to 12 miles.
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Tsipras added that the former foreign minister had been a valuable employee and expressed hope for continued cooperation.
After resignation, Kotzias will remain a member of the Greek parliament. He also intends to teach at the university.
Tsipras on Cyprus Problem
The Greek Prime Minister, also noted that his country intends to seek the abolition of the system of guarantees and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Cyprus.
"We came very close to a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. This solution means, first of all, the abolition of guarantees and the rights of third countries to intervene and, of course, the withdrawal of the occupying forces, since the Cyprus problem is primarily a problem of invasion and occupation by foreign troops," he said.
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He also stated that Greece retained communication channels with Turkey, but would not allow it to violate its sovereign rights.
