A meeting on Friday in Athens between the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey confirmed a positive shift in bilateral relations and a willingness to discuss longstanding differences between the two Aegean neighbors. As anticipated, however, the talks offered little hope for an imminent breakthrough on fundamental differences, ekathimerini.com reports.
“We affirmed the commitment to maintain the positive climate we have managed to build,” Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stated during a joint press conference after the two-hour meeting.
Gerapetritis noted that both sides assessed the conditions for starting a substantive discussion on defining the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. Athens maintains that this remains the only outstanding issue with Ankara.
“This was an initial, sincere approach to a difficult but critical matter,” he said. “Dedicated to a genuine effort toward progress, we will reconvene in an upcoming meeting,” he said adding that the next round of Greece-Turkey talks is scheduled for December 2-3 in Athens.
Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s support for a peace settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion, in accordance with United Nations resolutions. He also expressed Greece’s backing of Turkey’s aspirations for EU membership.
In his remarks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan asserted that issues between Greece and Turkey extend beyond maritime boundaries and jurisdictional disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing the need for both sides to work together on a range of issues.
“Several interconnected issues exist in the Aegean, and we must work together to find solutions,” he said.
Fidan reaffirmed Ankara’s stance that a federal model for resolving the Cyprus problem is no longer feasible, advocating instead for a two-state solution.
Additionally, he said both sides expressed readiness to deepen cooperation on matters such as irregular migration and counter-terrorism, as well as to enhance collaboration in tourism and cultural affairs.
