Mitsotakis discusses Turkey relations, rejects Erdogan’s Cyprus claims
Addressing the current state of Greek-Turkish relations, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered cautious optimism while emphasizing ongoing challenges during an interview with Mega TV.
Mitsotakis reflected on his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, noting that while progress is being made, significant hurdles remain.
“Is The Hague close? No, it’s not,” Mitsotakis said, referring to the possibility of settling territorial disputes over maritime boundaries in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean through international courts.
“But we are open to discussing parameters, particularly the delimitation of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelf.”
Mitsotakis stressed that productive dialogue can only occur in a climate of reduced tension, referencing previous incidents like the border fence dispute at Evros.
Yet he welcomed Erdogan’s recent speech at the United Nations, where the Turkish leader expressed interest in resolving disputes based on international law. “That is a positive approach,” Mitsotakis noted.
However, he was less optimistic regarding Cyprus, reiterating that Turkey’s stance remains “completely unacceptable.” He emphasized that the international community, including the United Nations, cannot endorse Turkey’s position on the issue.
Mitsotakis’ comments reflect a delicate balance between cautious engagement and firm resistance, as Greece and Turkey navigate their complex diplomatic relationship against the backdrop of longstanding territorial and political tensions.
