Withdrawal of ORUC REIS | The comments of the Prime Minister K. Mitsotakis and the Cypriot Foreign Minister N. Christodoulidis

Defence Redefined

13/09/2020

Greek-Turkish relations were one of the central issues mentioned by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the press conference at the TIF, during which he stated that he was ready to meet Turkey, provided there is a consistent de-escalation.

Regarding the withdrawal of the research vessel ORUC REIS and the non-renewal of the Turkish NAVTEX in the region, Mr. Mitsotakis spoke of a positive step which, if accompanied by de-escalation, could lead to a new round of exploratory talks.

“If we see such steps, we are ready to start a new round of exploratory contacts. If we see signs of de-escalation, we can discuss our only difference: the delimitation of the maritime zones,” pointed out Mr. Mitsotakis.

In this context, the Greek Prime Minister stated that if there is this de-escalation, he is ready to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greece is willing to continue contacts from where they left off in 2016, in order to resolve the issue of maritime delimitation.

However, Mr. Mitsotakis noted that Europe’s role remains important, with the possibility of sanctions being kept on the table of possible options. As he pointed out, the “upgrading” of Greece’s (bilateral) differences with Turkey on a Euro-Turkish issue is an important development.

Referring to the Berlin tripartite, around which there has been intense political controversy in recent days over whether or not to conclude an agreement with Turkey, Mr. Mitsotakis commented: “What I said in the article was that a written text of understanding was reached. That is, the minutes kept at the meeting to record on a piece of paper what was agreed. But this was violated, not by us. And that’s why we were led to escalation. Any attempt at secret diplomacy away from us.” Regarding this issue, Mr. Mitsotakis, rejecting the opposition’s accusations, stated that he has fully informed the political leaders.

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Regarding the violations within the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, stated that the fact that the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis has withdrawn from the Eastern Mediterranean returning back to Turkey and the Turkish illegal NAVTEX has not been renewed are steps towards the right direction. The Minister noted however that Turkey still continues its violations in Cyprus’ EEZ.

Asked by CNA to comment on this development, Mr. Christodoulides said that “this is a move towards the right direction”,  noting at the same time that “Turkey continues to violate the Republic of Cyprus EEZ in contrast with the calls by the international community, including the EU and the US.”

He went on to say that this is something for which, particularly in the case of the EU, there is a relevant decision as to how the Union should react.

With information from: CNA (In Greek)

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