The Greek and Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias and Melvut Cavusoglu, underlined their will to further support bilateral relations, following an unofficial meeting that was held in Crete on Sunday.
According to the Athens-Macedonia News Agency, the meeting lasted about three hours and was followed up by a meal. In the joint statements that followed, the two Ministers stressed that the meeting provided a constructive opportunity to further develop bilateral relations, as well as enhance the debate on the major problems in the region.
The Greek Minister expressed the solidarity of the Greek people towards the Turkish people, who fought against the coup attempt and revealed that it has been agreed to further develop talks and cooperation in finances, logistics, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and political dialogue.
“Greek foreign policy continues to do its work intensely, developing our relations with neighboring countries and throughout Europe and the wider region, but Turkey is a country with which we have special relations and special interests. For this reason our meeting has great importance for both countries but also for the wider region” the Greek Minister commented.
Turkey’s Minister thanked the Greek side and the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in particular for the support during the recent coup attempt. Mr. Cavusoglu told journalists that Turkey’s aim is to further develop ties with Greece, while referring to the Supreme Council of Cooperation, the Confidence Building Measures and ongoing talks between the two countries.
Mr. Cavusoglu argued that the meeting was “very constructive” and expressed his will for the two countries to further develop relations. Asked about the Cypriot dispute, he expressed his hope that the two sides on the island will take advantage of the opportunity they have and stated both Greece and Turkey will support the effort.
