The meeting of Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, who is visiting Athens today, Friday (08.11.24), lasted over two hours at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At around one in the afternoon, Giorgos Gerapetritis’ tete-a-tete with Hakan Fidan, which started at 10.30 in the morning, ended, then the two men gave joint statements to the press, while a working lunch will follow later.
During the joint press conference, the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey confirmed the good climate that prevails between the two countries, calling each other an “esteemed friend”.
The statement of Mr. Gerapetritis that “our goal is for the two peoples to come closer and closer” is typical, but also of Fidan that “we must take advantage of the opportunity for permanent friendship in our relations”. “To turn our eternal neighborhood into eternal friendship”, he underlined.
“Our three main pursuits are, solving cutting edge issues and decompressing tensions to prevent dangerous crises. Organization of meetings in 3 pillars, political dialogue, positive agenda and MOU, as well as preparation of meetings of the leaders for a strong political mandate at the highest level”, Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized at the beginning of his statements, after the end of the meeting.
“Tangible results have been produced. The next round of political dialogue in Athens will be held next month, on December 2 and 3,” said the Greek Foreign Minister and emphasized that our contacts are now becoming more regular. Our purpose, he pointed out, is to bring the two peoples ever closer.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, the Greek Foreign Minister underlined that “despite our differences, we believe that the way will be opened for the reunification of talks for a fair and sustainable solution”, while he spoke of “bridges of friendship”, referring to the minorities.
He underlined, however, that Greece continues to support the negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the EU.
“Even when we don’t find solutions, we discuss” is the message that Mr. Gerapetritis sent out and addressing Hakan Fidan, he called him “an esteemed friend”, a description that the Turkish Foreign Minister reciprocated, starting his own statements.
“We must make friendship permanent in our relations,” Fidan said and stressed that the 6th Supreme Council will be held in the first months of 2025.
We will continue to discuss the Cyprus issue, he added. “As Turkey, we do not want war, drama and tears in our region. Netanyahu’s fanaticism will continue to bleed the region,” he noted.
Hakan Fidan arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 10.30 on Friday morning for his tete-a-tete with Giorgos Gerapetritis.
The two ministers exchanged warm handshakes and smiles in front of the cameras and then proceeded to their meeting, which lasted over 2 hours.
In fact, yesterday with interviews they both gave the mark of their intentions for today’s meeting.
A basic request for Greece, Gerapetritis and Fidan to examine the conditions under which the two countries could get to the bottom of the one and only, according to Athens, difference between the two countries: the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf.
The negotiation does not bode well. The two foreign ministers, one day before the meeting, in their interviews with the press, set their “red lines”, which… do not coincide.
#eternal #neighborhood #eternal #friendship
**Interview with Dr. Eleni Stavrou, Expert on Greek-Turkish Relations**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Stavrou. We’ve just seen the meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. What can you tell us about the significance of this meeting?
**Dr. Stavrou:** Thank you for having me. This meeting is quite significant as it indicates a willingness from both Greece and Turkey to engage in constructive dialogue. The length of the meeting—over two hours—suggests that both ministers are deeply invested in addressing the complexities of their relationship.
**Editor:** Both ministers referred to each other as “esteemed friends.” How important is this language in diplomatic relations?
**Dr. Stavrou:** Language is crucial in diplomacy. Referring to each other as friends fosters a more positive atmosphere and can lead to constructive discussions. It’s a departure from more adversarial rhetoric and could signal a thawing of tensions, which is important for the stability of the region.
**Editor:** Gerapetritis mentioned three main pursuits: resolving issues, reducing tensions, and organizing further meetings. How do you see these goals aligning with the historical context of Greek-Turkish relations?
**Dr. Stavrou:** Historically, Greek-Turkish relations have been fraught with tension, stemming from territorial disputes and differing geopolitical interests. The emphasis on resolving issues and reducing tensions indicates a proactive approach. Regular meetings and dialogues are essential to creating a framework for long-term stability and trust-building.
**Editor:** The Foreign Ministers also discussed the Cyprus issue, suggesting that they are optimistic about potential reunification. How does this factor into their broader goals?
**Dr. Stavrou:** The Cyprus problem is a pivotal point in Greek-Turkish relations. An agreement on Cyprus could serve as a symbol of cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations. It’s a complex issue, but if resolved, it would greatly enhance the chances for ongoing dialogue and collaboration in other areas, thus reinforcing their commitment to turning their “eternal neighborhood into eternal friendship.”
**Editor:** The next political dialogue is set for December 2 and 3 in Athens. What should we expect from that meeting?
**Dr. Stavrou:** We can expect a continuation of the themes discussed today. Both sides will likely present their concerns while trying to find common ground. Regular dialogue is essential, and this meeting could produce tangible agreements on minor issues that build confidence for addressing more significant challenges down the line.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Stavrou, for sharing your insights on this important diplomatic meeting.
**Dr. Stavrou:** My pleasure, thank you!
