“We want a normal relationship with Turkiye. Geography is a given; we will continue this effort,” Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed in an interview with the public broadcaster ERT on Thursday, referring to Wednesday’s High-Level Cooperation Council held in Ankara.

“Yesterday’s meeting is part of a strategic cycle of Greek diplomacy, so that there are open channels of communication, clear rules, and a structured dialogue with Turkiye,” he said.

The two leaders made an overall assessment of how Greek-Turkish dialogue has progressed at the level of political dialogue, the positive agenda, and the Confidence Building Measures, he noted.

He pointed out that these contacts “ have made the relationship between the two countries a functional one, a relationship of good neighbourliness.” On the other hand, he added, “ it is obvious that the major and thorny issues in relations between the two countries remain. After all, we did not expect that these issues would disappear as if by magic.”

Gerapetritis reiterated that Greek diplomacy recognises one and only one issue that can be brought before international jurisdiction: the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf. “In order to reach the point where we can discuss this issue, a necessary precondition is to define the scope of the discussion. Anything beyond what I have just mentioned is unacceptable to the Greek side, because it touches on issues of sovereignty, and, as I have repeatedly stated, issues of sovereignty are outside the scope of dialogue.”

He stressed that the most important statement made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was that the resolution of these issues should be based on International Law. “This is Greece’s longstanding position. We have a very systematic approach to this matter, grounded in the belief that International Law – and especially the Law of the Sea – is the only foundation on which we can rely to resolve our issues. Turkiye has now also moved to this position,” he said.

Gerapetritis also emphasised that the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, had stated on Wednesday “ with directness and sincerity” that it was time for threats to stop. “ The past three years have opened the way for a more honest stance in addressing even the issues we disagree on, with civility but also with confidence and resolve. And the question ‘if not now, then when?’ I believe is sincere and not rhetorical.”
Asked whether the Prime Minister’s remark also concerned the casus belli and the “ grey zones,”Gerapetritis said it concerned anything that constitutes a threat to the country’s sovereignty. “ That includes everything on Turkiye’s long-standing agenda. We did not expect Turkiye to abandon its fundamental positions, just as we will not abandon ours. What we can do, however, is develop the understanding that will allow us to turn our relationship into a functional one – and, if possible, take one step further.”

He noted that all issues were discussed on Wednesday and that “ the Prime Minister raised the issue of the threat of war in a way that leaves no room for doubt. If you wish to become part of a collective defence, you cannot at the same time threaten the members that make up that collective defence.”

“ I cannot, of course, tell you that the casus belli – a resolution of the Turkish National Assembly since the mid-1990s – will be revoked, just as all Turkish claims go back decades. But I do want to tell you that, at this moment, I feel that there is that level of understanding in order for greater and more significant steps to be taken.”

“The two leaders have a genuine intention to take steps toward normalising relations between the two countries,” the minister stressed. “I cannot say with certainty that we will begin discussing what generates the problems – the underlying issue, which is the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf. But I can say that with the current leadership there is the political will to do so.”

“Greek foreign policy, Greek diplomacy under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the political leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently has a plan and a confidence that stems from its significant diplomatic footprint – and this is the moment to take important steps,” the minister added.

Referring to criticism that Greece should not even have come to the table with the Turkish side, Gerapetritis stressed that “ especially in today’s complex and fluid geopolitical environment, where everything can be overturned, having the ability to talk with your neighbour is not simply a strategic choice. It is an essential imperative.”

“No concessions, no sacrifices have been made,” he underlined. “Over the past three years, Greek diplomacy on Greek-Turkish issues has responded by increasing our own geopolitical position and strength,” he concluded.