By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur and Sena Guler
ANKARA (AA) - All issues with Greece can be solved “on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way,” Turkey’s president said Tuesday.
“Our [Turkey’s] expectation from Greece is that it doesn’t become a safe haven where FETO [Fetullah Terrorist Organization], PKK, DHKP-C terrorists take refuge,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Ankara.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, orchestrated a defeated coup July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Erdogan once again reiterated Turkey’s expectations on extradition of FETO coup plotters from Greece.
Touching a refugee deal signed between Turkey and EU in March 2016, Erdogan said the EU did not practice visa liberalization and the immigrant agreement, and urged the bloc to be loyal to its promises.
The 2016 deal aimed to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of more than 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.
It also allowed for the acceleration of Turkey’s EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area.
Tsipras said his country “will not be doomed to” regional problems and it tries to find solutions through dialogue with Turkey.
“We agreed with Turkey to boost cooperation on security issues,” he added.
Tsipras said Turkey and Greece agreed to decrease tensions in the Aegean Sea and to take confidence building steps.