Greek PM from Vilnius: Significant differences with Turkey but we can agree on a road map

“We obviously have significant differences, but we can agree that based on good neighborly relations and respect for international law, we will draw up a road map so that we can resolve our geopolitical difference which is none other than the delimitation of maritime zones, i.e. EEZ and continental shelf, in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean”, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis while attending the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

A day before the planned four-four meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Greek Prime Minister underlined that we are not doomed to live with Turkey in a permanent climate of tension and added that “two with a strong popular mandate we can do a first step in restarting the relations between Greece and Turkey”. NATO Summit: Mitsotakis and Erdogan will meet on Wednesday

See Mitsotakis’ full statement

“We are meeting here in Vilnius as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on just a few hundred kilometers away. Consequently, the reaffirmation of the basic principles of the alliance is today more necessary than ever and I want to welcome the decision in principle of Turkey and President Erdogan to accept Sweden into the alliance and I wish very soon and officially that our friend Sweden will be the 32nd member of our alliance.

As you know, I will have the opportunity to meet tomorrow in person with President Erdogan in our first meeting after our double electoral victory. I believe that both with a strong popular mandate we can take a first step in restarting the relations between Greece and Turkey. As I have said many times, we are not doomed to live with Turkey in a permanent climate of tension. We obviously have significant differences, but we can agree that based on good neighborly relations and respect for international law, we will draw up a road map so that we can resolve our geopolitical difference which is none other than the delimitation of maritime zones, that is EEZ and continental shelf, in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.

A positive climate has developed over the last few months in the relations between our two countries and I hope and look forward that we can build on this positive climate and make some important steps forward, steps forward which will obviously be to the benefit of both our peoples”.