Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis concluded a personal meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers – or Gymnich- in Brussels Thursday afternoon.
The meeting was held at the Greek Permanent Representation’s offices at the European Council, and revolved around EU-Turkey relations Turkey’s European path.
Gerapetritis emphasized that Greece supports for Turkey’s European trajectory, provided it adheres to international law, the European acquis, the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, and respects the sovereignty of all member states.
He stressed that greater coordination between Turkey and the EU is needed in this regard.
On Greek-Turkish relations, Gerapetritis raised all recent issues that have caused tensions from the Turkish side, highlighting the need for a positive climate and respect for international law.
The Foreign Ministers also discussed the upcoming meeting between the Greek and Turkish leaders in New York, where the next steps of the bilateral dialogue and their timeline will be addressed.
On the Cyprus issue, the Greek Foreign Minister stressed the need to restart dialogue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and to seize the opportunity presented by the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.
The foreign ministers are now set to engage in an informal business lunch with their European counterparts.
On arrival to Brussels, Gerapetritis mentioned that “We are attending the informal Foreign Affairs Council at a very difficult and sensitive time for international security, particularly in Ukraine.”
He noted that “it is important during such critical times to sit at the same table and engage in discussions” and as a result “the presence of the Turkish Foreign Minister at this informal council, after five years, is crucial.”
He also commented on Greece’s diplomatic efforts to prevent potential environmental damage following an attack Greek oil taker Sounion in the Red Sea. He expressed concerns about escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly in the West Bank, Lebanon, and the Red Sea, and discussed efforts with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister to address the tanker issue safely.
He concluded with a comment on Cyprus,”It is especially important now, with the UN leading an effort to restart talks on the Cyprus issue, to adopt a constructive stance so that this long-standing problem, which poses significant challenges for global peace, security, and international law, can finally be resolved in line with UN Security Council resolutions. I will have personal discussions with both the UN Coordinator and my Turkish counterpart to assess these issues.”
