Statement by former Greek Prime Minister Papandreou

Speaking to the To Vima newspaper, Papandreou said that Turkey and Greece came very close to resolving the continental shelf issue in 2004, “but then the elections came.” he said.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue in bilateral relations, Papandreou said: “Fear of dialogue creates a feeling of helplessness. It creates space for third parties to interfere as intermediaries, but, unsurprisingly, with their own interests.” he used the phrases.

Stating that it is important to have open communication channels between Turkey and Greece, Papandreou said: “The highest level of communication between the two sides should have been requested earlier, after the government took office. If (this communication) had existed, maybe there would not have been the level of tension today.” he made the appraisal of it.

Papandreou argued that the extension of Greece’s territorial waters to 12 miles in the eastern Mediterranean would only make sense if combined with an agreed agreement and initiative, the outcome of which would reach the International Court of Justice.

“WE SET A POSITIVE AGENDA FOR GREECE, TURKEY AND EUROPE”

Papandreou, who also evaluated the alliances that Greece established with third countries, used the following statements:

“My experience has shown that a positive agenda provides more succinct benefits than a ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ mentality. We saw this very well during the Helsinki period, when they brought Greece forward many times to hide their own desires or invested in the tension between Turkey and Greece to sell weapons systems. Indeed, we created and presented a positive agenda for Greece, Turkey and Europe. As a result, today Cyprus (South) is a member of the European Union (EU). (AA)