05.09.2026 16:40
Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis used impertinent expressions regarding Istanbul and Hagia Sophia while defending the government's foreign policy. Listing the relations established with Israel, France, and the United Arab Emirates, Georgiadis arrogantly responded to criticisms that they have no foreign policy, saying, 'Were we supposed to seize Istanbul and Hagia Sophia?'
Greek Minister Adonis Georgiadis's use of the expressions Istanbul and Hagia Sophia while defending the government's foreign policy drew reactions. After listing Athens's international partnerships, Georgiadis responded harshly to criticism from the opposition.
RESPONDED TO FOREIGN POLICY CRITICISMS
Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis appeared on a live broadcast on the ERTnews channel. During the program, criticisms regarding the Mitsotakis government's foreign policy performance came to the agenda. Georgiadis rejected assessments that the government was ineffective in foreign policy, citing the strategic relations Greece has established in recent years.
LISTED ISRAEL, FRANCE, AND THE UAE
Georgiadis said Greece has developed its strategic relations with Israel, established a defense alliance with France, and developed a strategic relationship with the United Arab Emirates. The Greek Minister, who argued that relations with Saudi Arabia are good, also cited the trilateral cooperations carried out with Egypt and the Greek Cypriot Administration among the government's foreign policy steps. Georgiadis also gave examples of the maritime jurisdiction agreements made with Italy and Egypt.
MADE A REMARK ABOUT ISTANBUL AND HAGIA SOPHIA
Reacting to the criticisms from the opposition and circles around former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stating "You have no foreign policy," Georgiadis brought up Istanbul and Hagia Sophia in his subsequent remarks.
The Greek Minister used the following statements:
"Greece currently has a foreign policy. Today we are developing our partnership and strategic relationship with Israel. We are establishing a defense alliance with France. We are developing a strategic relationship with the United Arab Emirates. If all of this means 'you have no foreign policy,' then what does it mean to have a foreign policy? Should we have captured Istanbul and Hagia Sophia?"