Erdogan-Mitsotakis statement from Greece

Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis could meet in New York in September.

Speaking to the Kathimerini newspaper published in Greece, Gerapetritis assessed relations between Ankara and Athens. Gerapetritis affirmed that Erdoğan and Mitsotakis could also meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York in September, saying: “We are starting a dialogue process in good faith and we want this new effort to be characterized by honesty and trust. The first step has been taken. The calm prevailing in the Aegean at the moment is a necessary prerequisite for this new beginning to be fruitful.”

Stating that progress in the normalization of relations between Greece and Turkey is a fundamental element for the rapprochement between the EU and Turkey, Gerapetritis affirmed that this rapprochement will contribute to stability in an extremely sensitive region, saying: “The Greek government wants to an atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue.

Referring to US-Greece relations, Gerapetritis said: “We have developed strong defense cooperation with the US and are deepening our political dialogue. Within the scope of this cooperation, it is normal and expected for the US to further strengthen our defense systems.”

‘GOOD RELATIONS WITH Türkiye ARE OUR FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE’

The Greek Minister of State, Akis Skerços, pointed out that one of the main objectives of his country is to establish good neighborly relations with Turkey.

Evaluating Turkey-Greece relations on a TV show, Skerços stated that one of Greece’s main goals is to establish good neighborly relations with Turkey, and that Turkey has red lines just like Greece. (AA)