I welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Mr. Fidan, to Greece.
Following the meeting of the leaders of our countries in Vilnius last year, where the framework of our dialogue was established, I visited Ankara, where I referred to our 3 main objectives:
• to address the major issues and alleviate tensions so that risks can be avoided.
• to conduct the discussions between the two sides on the basis of 3 pillars, namely the Political Dialogue, the Positive Agenda and the Confidence Building Measures.
and,
• to prepare the meetings of our two leaders in order to obtain a strong and continuous political mandate at the highest level.
During the last 16 months tangible results have been produced.
Our countries’ leaders have already met 6 times, the High-Level Cooperation Council was held in Athens, where the Athens Declaration was signed, while two rounds of Political Dialogue and Positive Agenda and 3 meetings on the Confidence Building Measures took place, the last one just two days ago.
We agreed that the next round of Political Dialogue and Positive Agenda will take place in Athens next month, on 2 and 3 December.
I do not claim that through the dialogue we have developed, the problems in the relations between the two countries have been miraculously resolved. There have indeed been difficult moments during the past year. However, in all cases, there was a direct and honest channel of communication that prevented escalation.
What is particularly important is that our contacts are now becoming regular, as contacts between two neighbors should be, especially in our complex neighborhood. The direct communication between the two peoples, like the one we cultivated with the very successful short-term visa programme for Turkish citizens and their families in 10 Greek islands, contributes to a mutual understanding and to the elimination of stereotypes. Our goal is to bring the two peoples closer together.
In this context, we had the opportunity today to discuss issues related to our bilateral relations. We discussed about the preparation of the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council, which I believe will be a further step towards consolidating the positive climate between the two countries. We look forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy, tourism, trade and culture. Already our bilateral trade has seen a significant increase during this year, with the hope of reaching $10 billion, which is the target set by the two leaders.
Furthermore, the Minister and I discussed issues of cooperation regarding candidacies in international organizations. Among others, as you know, we have jointly submitted a candidacy for 2 of the top 4 positions in the OSCE, the position of Secretary General and the position of Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
I welcomed the resumption of the relations between the EU and Türkiye. Greece will continue to support Türkiye’s European perspective, within the framework of the criteria established by the European Council and the European acquis.
The Minister and I also discussed minorities, which, in our view, must serve as bridges of friendship. Both sides must ensure that all citizens living in our countries enjoy full equality before the law.
Our stance on the Cyprus Issue is well known. We remain committed to a solution based on the Resolutions of the UN Security Council for a Bi-zonal Bi-communal Federation. Despite our disagreements, we hope that the informal meeting of the 15th of October in New York, and the next steps that were agreed, will create the conditions for the resumption of a productive dialogue towards a viable, just and functional solution. In a world fraught with divisions, a united European Cyprus, apart from the conditions of prosperity it would create for its citizens, would constitute an exceptionally important universal symbol.
Our agenda also included an assessment of the conditions that must be met in order to launch a substantive discussion on the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. This is an initial, honest approach to a difficult but critical issue. Our positions regarding the scope of the discussions differ. We have one and only dispute with Türkiye. However, committed to a sincere effort to achieve progress through dialogue, we will discuss this issue at our next meeting in the near future.
In any case, we reaffirmed our will to maintain the climate we have managed to build, in mutual respect, on the basis of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter and with a sense of responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The Minister and I discussed developments in the international scene, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, developments in the Caucasus, the Balkans and, in particular, the conflict in the Middle East.
Greece recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, within the framework of international law, against the terrorist action launched on October 7, 2023 and calls for the immediate release of all hostages. We are particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where immediate and intensified assistance is required. However, this task becomes even more difficult following the latest developments with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). On our side, we support the US roadmap towards a ceasefire. And, of course, we have highlighted the need to provide a tangible vision for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, while ensuring Israel's security.
We expressed our concern about the possibility of further escalation, following the Iranian strikes on Israel, and the retaliatory strikes by Israel. We are particularly concerned by the possibility that an escalation in Lebanon would lead to another humanitarian crisis. As you know, I recently participated in the International Conference in Support of the Lebanese People and Sovereignty in Paris, and Greece has already delivered two shipments of humanitarian aid with medical supplies to Lebanon.
We cannot ignore the dangers that these crises pose to a very important issue that both Greece and Türkiye are facing: migration. Over the last year we have intensified cooperation between the relevant Ministries and recent developments make this cooperation even more urgent, especially in order to dismantle the networks of traffickers who take advantage of human suffering. And we also agree on the need to combat terrorism.
I would like to take this opportunity, Minister, to add that Greece’s position as an elected Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term (2025-2026) – and we had the support of Türkiye for this election, and for that I would like to thank you, Minister – gives us an important role and responsibility to contribute to the peaceful resolution of international disputes and to address global challenges.
In closing, I would like to express my satisfaction with the efforts made by both sides for strengthening our bilateral cooperation and with maintaining channels of communication on different levels, including between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
We recognize the existing difficulties. Even if finding solutions is not easy, we discuss with a sense of historical responsibility toward our peoples and future generations, as well as with the understanding of the necessity to contribute to peace, the implementation of international law, stability and prosperity for all peoples.
With these thoughts, I welcome you again, dear Minister, dear Hakan, to Athens.
Thank you.
November 8, 2024