The restart of political dialogue, the positive agenda, and the confidence-building measures were decided by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, in their meeting, according to the statements that followed.

Mr. Gerapetritis also referred to the Cyprus issue, repeating Athens’ firm position, which is the immediate resumption of talks. The Greek Minister emphasized once again that Greece supports Turkey’s European path, adding that minorities are for cooperation bridges for Greece and their members enjoy egalitarianism and equality in the country.

📍 #Ankara | FM George Gerapetritis holds talks today w/ #Türkiye FM @HakanFidan

📍 Άγκυρα | Ο ΥΠΕΞ Γιώργος Γεραπετρίτης πραγματοποιεί σήμερα συνομιλίες με ΥΠΕΞ Τουρκίας Hakan Fidan pic.twitter.com/qWWejVk6kq

— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) September 5, 2023

It is necessary for them to build on what unites them and to better understand what separates them, Mr. Gerapetritis noted. As the Greek Minister pointed out, he agreed with his Turkish counterpart that the road map would include the following three levels:

First, the level of political dialogue, which will begin under the responsibility of the Greek side, by Deputy Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou and will take place on October 16. Secondly, he added, the level of implementation and strengthening of confidence-building measures in the immediate future.

Thirdly, he added, the level of talks to promote the positive cooperation agenda, in areas such as investment, agriculture, tourism, trade, shipping, and the climate crisis. These talks will restart under Deputy Minister Costas Fragogiannis.

The mission of the two Ministers, according to Mr. Gerapetritis, is to resolve the cutting-edge issues that arise between the two countries and to de-escalate tensions in order to prevent potentially dangerous situations.

Second, to direct the discussions taking place between the two sides at all levels, i.e. political dialogue, positive agenda, and confidence-building measures, so that there is continuous monitoring, unified approach, and high accountability for the production of beneficiary and tangible results.

Third, to prepare the contacts of the two leaders so that a lasting strong political mandate and legitimacy emerge at the highest level.

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Key points, as he noted, will be first of all the meeting that Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will have on September 18 and the organization – before the end of the year – of the Supreme Cooperation Council in Thessaloniki after 7 years.

The Foreign Minister of Turkey spoke of a fruitful meeting and thanked Greece for the help it offered to Turkey after the February earthquakes. Mr. Fidan said that there had been an extended assessment of the relationship of the two countries during the meeting he had with Mr. Gerapetritis and emphasized that the communication channels that have been opened are a positive development.

Referring to the meeting, the Turkish Foreign Minister confirmed the mutual will to continue the talks and expressed the belief that the problems can be resolved through constructive dialogue.

Focusing further on what was discussed with Giorgos Gerapetritis, Hakan Fidan said that they comprehensively assessed the problems regarding the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean and added that there are different opinions on the Aegean, which they discussed in exploratory talks.

Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, he said that Turkey supports the “principle of fair sharing”. The Turkish Foreign Minister noted that they also exchanged views on the Cyprus issue and that Turkey’s positions are known, without referring to them.

In addition, Hakan Fidan pointed out that he discussed the steps that can be implemented for the development of bilateral trade, tourism, and economic relations with Giorgos Gerapetritis.

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