UPDATE - Türkiye, Greece must live in peace, seek solutions to disputes: Greek premier

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, WITH MORE REMARKS BY GREEK PRIME MINISTER; CHANGES DECK, THROUGHOUT

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) — Türkiye and Greece must live in peace and work tirelessly to resolve their disputes, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed Thursday.

"In recent months the two countries are walking on a calmer path. Greece and Türkiye, must live in peace, articulate their differences that are known, discuss them honestly, and constantly seek solutions," Mitsotakis said during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Cautioning that tensions between the two countries also threaten stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, the Greek premier said that even if the two neighbors fail to bridge their differences, these should at least "not automatically produce tensions and crises."

Highlighting the sustained positive momentum between the two nations since February and the growing collaboration in various areas such as irregular migration, the economy, sports, and education, he emphasized that further enhancement in many other sectors is achievable through joint efforts from both countries.

Mitsotakis also stressed that Greece has constantly supported Türkiye's EU accession process and the facilitation of visas for Turkish nationals seeking to travel to the bloc, and recently applied to secure visa-free travel by Turkish citizens to 10 islands in the Aegean Sea.

"Greece requested and secured approval for Turkish citizens visa facilitation for 10 islands in the Eastern Aegean," he said.

According to Mitsotakis, the two countries could seek a resolution to a dispute on maritime boundaries of the continental shelf and economic exclusive zone (EEZ).

Athens sees this issue as its only disagreement with Ankara that could be brought before international jurisdiction "when the conditions are ripe."

Announcing that he plans to visit Türkiye in the spring, Mitsotakis added: "Today, in the name of the next generations, we both have to build a tomorrow, where a gentle wind will blow in these calm waters, a tomorrow of peace, progress and cooperation, showing responsibility and realism. Today, I want to look to the future."