A. DAVUTOGLU: Today we had the pleasure of hosting my friend and colleague Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos here in Ankara.
I want to thank him for the fact that one of his first visits abroad since his appointment to this post was here to Ankara.
This is a clear indication of the good relations between the two countries; relations that have been developed even further recently as a result of the High Level Cooperation Councils we have had recently.
Today, first of all, we had the one-on-one meeting, and afterwards the meeting between the two countries’ delegations, which we characterize as positive. Of course, the issues we discussed can be summarized into three basic chapters: The first chapter was bilateral relations, the second was regarding our relations with the EU, and the third concerned recent developments in the region.
Regarding our bilateral relations, I must say that we went over all the decisions that were made at the High Level Cooperation Council, and we said that the next Council will be held next year, in Athens. I should also say that I intend to visit Athens in November or December, so we will have the opportunity to look at these issues and decide on new agreements.
We are all truly satisfied at the fact that there is growth in trade, culture and tourism relations, and in our relations in the energy sector. One of the cases is the agreement on the TAP-TANAP natural gas pipelines that was signed recently and provides a good opportunity for greater cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.
Regarding our bilateral relations, I underscore that they are getting better and better. The exploratory talks are continuing, as well as other talks that take place from time to time. On the other hand, I should say that we exchanged views on the resolution of the Cyprus issue, so that peace, prosperity and calm may reign in the Mediterranean.
Of course, as I said, we talked about Turkey’s relations with the EU. More specifically, because Greece is assuming the Presidency of the EU in a few months, today we had the opportunity to discuss this issue. We talked about the economic and political issues with the EU, and naturally the issue of visas, which remains pending. We thanked Greece in particular for the support it is providing for Turkey with regard to EU accession, and we hope that Greece will continue to lend its support.
And the last group of issues we discussed was the Arab Spring and the developments in the Middle East, where we set out our views and hopes. One of the issues we discussed, of course, was the recent developments in Egypt. I set out for my colleague my view that respect for the will of the people must prevail in Egypt, as well as our view that it is imperative that a democratic regime prevail. The situation as it is evolving cannot become permanent. We do not support a specific person in Egypt. We support democracy in the country, and that this regime cannot continue to exist. I would like us all to be sure that democracy in Egypt will soon get a “spine,” that the situation will stop being so confused, and that democracy will gain a foundation.
My colleague Mr. Venizelos and I agreed to have regular meetings. Perhaps we will have the chance to talk again during the summer, because there are issues that, as neighbouring countries, we need to discuss frequently.
E. VENIZELOS: I thank my esteemed colleague and friend Mr. Davutoglu very much for his invitation to visit Ankara. His invitation gave me the opportunity to be here today, a few days after taking up my duties as Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic. My being here today symbolizes the importance we attach to good Greek-Turkish relations.
As Mr. Davutoglu described so well, the first subject of our talks was our bilateral relations. The meetings between the two governments in the framework of the High Level Cooperation Council are bearing fruit. We decided to organize at the soonest possible time – preferably as soon as Greece’s upcoming six-month EU Presidency starts – the third high-level meeting. We also decided to move ahead, where needed, with our internal procedures so that the agreements that were signed at the two previous High Level Cooperation Council can be ratified and put into effect.
I think that our economic cooperation is now showing indications of very considerable progress, but we have before us vast potential, in tourism, in infrastructure, in transport, in the financial sector – in all the fields of the real economy.
In tourism, in particular, it is of great importance to ease the visa regime to allow the movement of our visitors from one country to the other, within the framework, of course, of our European obligations. But there is further potential that we must make optimum use of.
The developments regarding the transit natural gas pipelines are very, very important, because the TAP and the TANAP change the geographical state of affairs. They are an additional bridge in Greek-Turkish relations. They are a new parameter, not just an economic parameter, but also a geopolitical parameter.
Of course, our bilateral relations are not limited to the economic and political dimensions, which are also very important. They also have a purely political dimension, to which we dedicated a significant portion of our talks, because we needed to carry out a broad exchange of views on the Cyprus issue and, of course, on the level of the political relations between the two countries. We decided to continue the rounds of exploratory talks between the two governments.
The second major chapter is Turkey’s European perspective. Greece has made an historical choice to support Turkey’s European perspective. For Greece, this is a fundamental choice, and we will contribute to this effort during the six months of the Greek EU Presidency.
For Greece, a European Turkey, a Turkey that moves within the framework of the European legal and political cultures and the European acquis, is a neighbour that can play an important role, not just in the development of bilateral relations, but also in the development of the wider region, the region of Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Finally, we talked about the developments in the Arab world, especially about the developments in Egypt. Mr. Davutoglu set out for us his assessments of the situation, and we ours. Greece, as an EU member state, shares the common position of EU foreign policy on this issue, but the substance of the matter is that we all want an Egypt that is stable, an Egypt that is democratic, and Egypt that will avoid any lapse into violence, an Egypt that can truly function as a key country in the region, as a guarantor of stability and security in the region.
The exchange of views I had with my esteemed colleague Mr. Davutoglu will help me a great deal in the discussions I will be having this evening in Majorca with many of my fellow Foreign Ministers from the EU, as well as in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday.
Once again, I thank my dear friend Ahmet Davutoglu for the very warm and friendly welcome, and I await his reciprocal visit to Greece at the soonest possible time.
A. ELLIS: I would like to ask Mr. Davutoglu if he could be a little more specific with regard to the benefits of cooperation in the energy sector that he referred to earlier. In this context, or indirectly, how does he see the prospects on the part of Greece for declaring the EEZ – declaration, not delimitation. Might this issue, which is a little sensitive, be dealt with in the right manner so that everyone wins? Thank you very much.
A. DAVUTOGLU: If anyone refers to these energy routes, the Caspian comes up as one of the most important routes. Various work and funding initiatives were carried out regarding this issue. Issues of different routes came out. But the two agreements made recently – one, essentially, but let’s say it has broken in two – are the best of all. This was the TANAP agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan. This finalized the route from the Caspian, through Turkey, to Andrianoupoli. There were two alternatives. And now, with the TAP project, the best alternative was chosen and finalized. And thus things turned out in favor of Turkey and Greece. Of course, beyond this route, links can also be made for adjacent countries so that natural gas can be transported. We believe that following this development there will also be great potential for Turkish-Greek cooperation in the energy sector. This is a new corridor linking us.
And there are already ongoing exploratory talks and other talks on other issues between the two countries. We want to transform the Aegean into a region of peace and calm. And we covered considerable ground on this during the talks. The effort made by both sides in this direction will be to the benefit of both countries. I want to be very optimistic. It will happen as in the case of Andrianoupoli (TAP-TANAP pipelines). I think the same thing will happen in the Aegean. So that the Aegean will be a region that links the two peoples.
E. VENIZELOS: The linking of the two pipelines changes the geographical state of affairs substantially. It is important to us that there be diversification with regard to the origin of the natural gas as well as the transit routes to Greece and Europe in general. The EU’s natural gas needs are increasing geometrically. In a few years, 700 bcm will be needed, and here we have added 10 bcm to the market. This is significant, but you can see how large the total amounts are. But for Greek-Turkish relations, the TAP and the TANAP are a pipeline of peace and development.
Now, as to your question on the EEZ and maritime zones more generally, the response is very simple. All the countries know the rules of the international law of the sea. Within the framework of international law, all countries protect their national sovereignty and their sovereign rights. All countries – not just in our region, but all over the world – are obliged to talk and negotiate, where necessary, in good faith and in the framework of international law and order, so that mutually agreed solutions can be found.
JOURNALIST (REUTERS): You said you discussed the Cyprus issue during your talks. What types of things will you do during your time as Ministers so that the obstacle in the issue can be overcome? The Greek Cypriot leadership appointed a negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis. What do you think Mr. Mavroyiannis should do – visit Turkey and negotiate with Greece?
On the Turkish-Syrian border, in the Ras al-Ayn area, clashes are continuing between the Syrian Opposition and a the PYD branch of PKK, and this impacts Turkey. Of late, they have also raised their flags. Can you comment on these development on the part of Turkey?
E. VENIZELOS: To start with the Cyprus issue, I really think the fact that the Greek Cypriot community appointed a negotiator is an important development. The negotiations have the institutional flexibility for him to have all the necessary meetings. We know the historical framework of the Cyprus issue, we know the international law framework of the Cyprus issue, the resolutions of the UN and the framework of the UN Secretary General’s mission and that of his representative. So there needs to be a factor that will change the impressions – a factor to impart momentum to this process.
We are looking for a solution that is just, viable, functional within the framework set down by the UN. It is obvious that if we lack the political will, and if we lack good faith, we will not find this solution easily. But the factors guiding us are those I mentioned. The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the UN and a member of the EU and the Eurozone. Of course there are also the two communities – the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities – who are shouldering the weight of the meetings and talks so that a viable, functional and just solution can be found.
A. DAVUTOGLU (regarding Syria): We are monitoring the recent developments in Syria with great care and concern, not just those in Ras al-Ayn. Both the bombing of the city of Homs and the clashes in Ras al-Ayn and the surrounding areas show how developments can impact the security of Syria and of Turkey and the whole region. I would like once again to express my condolences to the families of the young man who lost his life to a bullet in the head, fired from the Syrian side.
Turkey has taken all the necessary measures for these attacks originating in Syria, from the clashes taking place within Syria and from the bullets that ricochet and reach Turkey, hitting the civilian population. And in the future, as has been the case so far, all possible measures will be taken to directly confront these types of attacks that are originating in Syria.
Of course, the clashes in Syria have created a void that, as in the case of Ras al-Ayn, various forces that have developed are trying to fill. Syria is in a state of civil war. Any move that creates a de facto regime will certainly exacerbate things. Of course, it isn’t out of the question that the Syrian regime is making certain moves to provoke clashes among the various opposing groups that exist.
No one should be taken in by or accept these kinds of instigation. Let things settle down first – otherwise, greater tension will be created. We have said repeatedly that de facto situations cannot become acceptable in this way, because they will exacerbate developments. Of course, in a case where there is an elected parliament and they can discuss some things, then the situation will change completely. But until the setting up of the official parliament, no one should be convinced by the actions carried out, and additional de facto situations should not be created.
July 19, 2013