ADDS MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH AND GREEK FOREIGN MINISTERS; BACKGROUND
By Diyar Guldogan
Ankara is ready to continue dialogue with its neighbor Greece "without preconditions," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday.
"We are ready to continue the dialogue with our neighbor Greece without preconditions and to develop our relations on the basis of common interests in all areas," Fidan told a news conference with his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis in the capital Ankara.
"We can solve our problems on the basis of international law, respecting mutual rights and interests,” he added.
Ankara and Athens have differences of opinion in the Aegean and Mediterranean, Fidan said, adding: "We agreed to bring new approaches to solving problems."
Türkiye has entered a "positive new" era in its relations with Greece, he said.
Turning to the issues of the Turkish minority living in Greece, Fidan said Türkiye has implemented many positive practices regarding the problems of minorities in Türkiye.
"We expect the same constructive approach for our compatriots. We attach great importance to the protection of our cultural heritage in Greece. We are ready to support the restoration of Ottoman artifacts. We stressed that we can cooperate on this issue," he added.
Fidan said they also discussed regional developments, including Ukraine, Libya, and Syria, and reiterated Türkiye's expectations from the EU.
He hailed the revival of dialogue channels and high-level contacts between Türkiye and Greece as a positive development.
"Together with my colleague, we confirmed our mutual will to continue this. We reiterated our belief that problems will be resolved through constructive dialogue between our two neighbors and allies," he added.
On the Eastern Mediterranean, Fidan said Türkiye always supports the principle of equitable sharing, adding: "We also exchanged views with my counterpart on the Cyprus issue. Our views on solving the Cyprus issue are clear. As the two guarantor countries, we will continue to discuss this issue."
Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.
Türkiye fully supports a two-state solution on the island of Cyprus based on sovereign equality and equal international status between its two states.
Fidan also said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet later this month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
- 'Confidence-building measures talks will start soon'
Gerapetritis, for his part, said that confidence-building measures and talks between Türkiye and Greece will start soon.
"We agreed to continue the positive agenda," said Gerapetritis, who is paying a one-day working visit to the Turkish capital.
The two countries are expected to hold a High Level Cooperation Council meeting before the end of 2023, the first such meeting in seven years, he added.
The last High Level Cooperation Council meeting between Türkiye and Greece took place in Türkiye's Aegean province of Izmir in March 2016.
Gerapetritis said that maintaining the dialogue channels between Türkiye and Greece within the framework of mutual understanding and respect accelerates the elimination of crises.
On minorities in both countries, he said: "In our view, minorities basically constitute bridges of cooperation between the two countries. Members of minority groups in Greece are equal citizens, and enjoy equal rights."
He also underlined that it is in the interests of both countries to prevent waves of irregular migrants.
"Regarding developments in our region, we are actually in favor of peace in our region. These initiatives of ours will also contribute to the development of our bilateral relations," he added.
Türkiye and Greece have a historical responsibility, he said, adding that this gives both countries the task of carrying out necessary initiatives.
"We have to eliminate some stereotypes and we will do our best to eliminate similar views that cause crises. We will do this within the framework of the basic rules. The basis for this is the rules of international law,” he said.
"The Greek government takes an approach to the negotiations with the Turkish government within the framework of sincerity and respect for the Turkish people. I believe the Turkish government will do the same.”
Türkiye and Greece are neighbors that for various reasons, have had bumpy relations for decades. Despite 2021 witnessing some improvement in ties, various issues persist.
Türkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years, has protested repeated provocative actions and rhetoric by Greece in the region in recent years, including arming islands near Turkish shores that are demilitarized under longstanding treaties, saying such moves frustrate its good faith efforts towards peace.