FM Dendias in Ankara: Important to avoid provocative actions that undermine relations
Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias said talks in Ankara were "extensive, open and sincere," speaking after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday.
The Greek minister welcomed the restart of exploratory talks and political consultations with Turkey, and he underlined that several regional and bilateral issues were discussed at the meeting with Cavusoglu, including a series of proposals towards reviving initiatives for the economic collaboration between the two countries.
The meeting also provided "a positive agenda of economic issues to promote our relations further," and to "change the climate that exists in Greek-Turkish relations."
Dendias did however underline that "a necessary prerequisite to this is de-escalation and refraining from actions and statements that undermine the climate."
Greece, he underlined, "supports Turkey's EU accession process, if it so wishes," but respect of EU principles and values is an inviolable condition for it.
Concerning the five-sided summit on the Cyprus issue, under the aegis of the UN, he said all sides concerned will join with a "constructive spirit in mind." The only acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue, he added, is "the one supported by all international actors: a bizonal, bicommunal federation."
The minister pointed out that he found himself in agreement with his Turkish counterpart that migration is an "EU-Turkish issue". Turkey, however, should meet its commitments as inscribed in its joint statement with the EU on migration, he noted. Furthermore, Dendias reminded his counterpart of what he said was the "instrumentalization of the migration issue" at the Greek-Turkish borders in Evros in 2020.
Additionally, reversing its decision to turn the Hagia Sophia historic monument to a mosque "would be beneficial to Turkey and its international image."
"Greece and Turkey are destined to coexist in a region with many complex problems," said Dendias. It is, therefore, to the benefit of both countries "that we cooperate within the framework of good neighborliness for security, prosperity and peace."
"We are not ignoring reality; we know we have a long way ahead of us, but we can take that first step today," he concluded.
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