“There are no problem that we can’t solve with Greece,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said once again.
On his return from Berlin, speaking to Turkish journalists, he reaffirmed his determination to keep a low profile towards Greece, something he has been trying to prove since last February, right after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
The Turkish president referred to the Greek-Turkish relations in view of the Supreme Cooperation Council that will be held on December 7 in Athens, noting his wish for the start of a new process between Greece and Turkey, which because they are two important countries in the region, their interests are natural to are in the same direction
Even if the positions of the two sides do not change, they are trying to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
Erdogan referred to Greek-Turkish relations in view of the Supreme Cooperation Council, which is planned to take place on December 7 in Athens and not in Thessaloniki, noting his wish for the start of, as he said, a new process between Greece and Turkey which, because they are two important countries in the region, their interests are naturally in the same direction.
He also argued that the two sides can resolve their differences giving priority to dialogue, a dialogue which, as the Turkish president has emphasized several times, must take place without the intervention of third countries.
“We want to reduce enemies and increase friends” repeated the Turkish president to argue that “as countries in the region, if we exclude from the process third countries that approach the issue with the logic of profit and bargaining, we have no problem which we cannot resolve.”
For Athens, it is clear that there is a good atmosphere in the relations between the two countries at this time, but the real progress will depend on the positions they will take at the negotiating table on the maritime zone dispute.
They insist on one step at a time and note that problems are not solved overnight.
However, Greek diplomacy also invests in the good climate, which it wants to maintain as long as possible, even if solutions do not become immediately possible.
Aggressive rhetoric from the Turkish Navy Chief
Indicative of the fact that Turkey sticks to its fixed positions, which include the gray zones and the demilitarization of Greek islands, is that active military personnel, such as the head of the Navy Erzumed Tatlioglu, return to them from time to time in public, confirming that and Ankara has no intention of giving up its claims.
Tatlioglou attacked Greece for its weapons program, referring both to the acquisition of the Bell@ara frigates, the Rafale fighters, but also to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the USA, noting that there are three large American bases on Greek soil.
He claimed that Greece is militarizing islands that should have been demilitarized, while he referred to “islands and rocky islets, whose sovereignty and ownership is disputed. They try to make them their own, visiting them as if they were their own islands.”
Even in the calm climate between Greece and Turkey, the said “disagreements” have their own role to remind that Ankara has not abandoned its positions, at the same time that Athens also emphasizes that it sticks to its own red lines.
The Bacheli factor
The Supreme Cooperation Council is characterized as the next milestone in the contacts between the two sides, which will determine the next steps, while both Athens and Ankara want to conclude with the signing of specific agreements that will strengthen the trust between the two sides.
With one of the questions being what role Devlet Bakhceli – Erdogan’s far-right partner and head of the Nationalist Action Party – will want to play in the Greek-Turkish dialogue and whether he will want to boobytrap it, indirectly or directly, throwing spanners in the gears of the state machine.
Latest News
Bank of Greece Governor Says EU will Retaliate to Trump’s Tarrifs
The Bank of Greece Governor defended the independence of central banks amid criticism from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had publicly commented on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel
September in Greece Winning Tourists Over from US, Germany
Tourists continue to visit Greece off-season into Sept. with the number of inbound travelers up by 6.6% and a 7.9% rise in travel receipts.
Bitcoin Surges Toward $100K Amid Pro-Crypto Optimism in US
According to Reuters, the cryptocurrency surged to an all-time high, briefly exceeding $96,898 during Asian trading hours.
Greek Driver Violations at a Touch of a Button
Traffic offences recorded in the last five years by Greece’s “Driver Behavior Control System” are now available on Gov.gr Wallet
Milan Tops List of Most Expensive Streets, Athens’ Ermou Holds Steady at 15th Place
In Athens, following Ermou Street is the southern suburb of Glyfada and Tsimiski Street in Thessaloniki.
New Gov.gr Service Enables Secure Reporting of Minor-Related Delinquency
It should also be noted that via the recently introduced initiative ‘Safe Youth’ application citizens have access to specially tailored informative material regarding the safety of children and adolescents
Thousands Strike in Athens Over Soaring Living Costs and Stagnant Wages
Inflation, particularly in food prices, has been crushing Greek households
Greece Overhauls Property Valuation System
Greece plans to launch a revamped property value registry in 2025 and overhaul the way objective values are calculated to enhance tax revenue and improve transparency.
Greece’s New Tax Bill Foresees Tax Relief Beyond Big Business
Tax relief measures in Greece are proposed for freelancers, property owners and farmers, along with 'big business'
Unions Call Nationwide Industrial Strike for Wed.
Mass transits are usually affected, especially in the greater Athens-Piraeus area, although bus and metro services are curtailed but not fully halted