The background of the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting – What they agreed – What they said about Cyprus
His meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere Kyriakou Mitsotakis by Recep Tayyip Erdoganaccording to senior government officials.
«There seems to be a genuine willingness to normalize relations and de-escalate” estimate the same sources, who described the Supreme Cooperation Council, which was agreed to be held on December 7 in Thessaloniki, as “a very important step in the relations between the two countries. “Today’s Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting was a step up from the one in Vilnius, Belarus”, the government officials noted.
However, the Greek prime minister reportedly emphasized that it is clear from Greece’s side that in order for the positive climate to continue, we must not have rhetorical outbursts or threats against the country’s territorial sovereignty.
In any case, however, the high-ranking government sources noted that both Greece and Turkey have so far been consistent with what was agreed upon in Vilnius by Mr. Mitsotakis and Erdogan.
And the Cyprus issue in the Mitsotakis-Erdogan debate
At the table of the meeting between the Greek prime minister and the Turkish president, the Cypriotone day after the provocative statement by Erdogan, who called from the UN podium for the international community to recognize the pseudo-state.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated that any solution to the Cyprus problem should be within the framework of UN resolutions, clarifying that a two-state solution is not being discussed.
In addition, Greece’s position on the Cyprus issue is to have a new tripartite and special UN envoy.
Mr. Mitsotakis will also refer to the Cyprus issue tomorrow, during his speech at the United Nations.
“Not on tight timetables for the demarcation of maritime zones, The Hague is still far away”
As to the crucial issue of demarcation EEZ and marine zones, from the Greek mission note that this is “an issue that has not been resolved in the last 40 years. Therefore, tight timetables should not be introduced, because they do not help to solve it.”
As for the possibility of an appeal to The Hague? “It’s still a long way off,” said well-informed sources.
Mitsotakis and Erdogan even discussed the thorny issue of illegal immigration. The Greek Prime Minister expressed his belief that Turkey’s cooperation is necessary in order to reduce migration flows to a minimum.
Mitsotakis: We had a productive meeting with Erdogan
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his statement after the hour-long meeting with Tayyip Erdogan in New York, described it as “productive”.
“The two sides agreed to continue working to deepen the positive climate in Greek-Turkish relations, which has been established in recent months, and we have clearly defined the level of contacts and meetings for the next period at the level of political dialogue, Confidence Building Measures , but also promoting the positive agenda” he said characteristically, and added:
“I believe that this field of cooperation can also be explored further, so that it becomes the subject of some specific agreements, which will be signed within the framework of the Supreme Cooperation Council, in December in Thessaloniki”, concluded the prime minister.
The announcement about the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting
In the joint communique, issued immediately afterwards, it is stated:
“Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giorgos Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan.
The two leaders confirmed the positive atmosphere in the relations between Greece and Turkey and their strong will to maintain it.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the road map of the contacts between the two countries, as it was defined at the meeting of Foreign Ministers on September 5 and includes:
The meetings in mid-October of the Deputy Foreign Ministers responsible for political dialogue and the positive agenda, the meetings in November on Confidence Building Measures and the meeting of the Greece-Turkey Supreme Cooperation Council on December 7 in Thessaloniki.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
They also discussed the climate crisis and its effects, particularly in the Mediterranean region, as both countries have recently experienced severe natural disasters, and agreed that strengthening cooperation in Civil Protection is a priority.
They also agreed to work together to tackle the migration issue, recognizing that it is a common challenge.
Foreign Ministers will continue cooperation and coordination to advance the agreed roadmap.”
The Erdogan post
In a post on social media, the Turkish president wrote after the meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
“May our meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis be beneficial for our country and region.”
Source: iefimerida.gr
