Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Turkey on Monday, May 13. Mitsotakis answered the questions of Milliyet Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Özay Şendir before his visit. Speaking about the possibility of increased tension between the two countries, Mitsotakis said that it should be resolved “through dialogue in line with international law and good neighborly relations” and added: “I think we should talk to each other more instead of talking about each other.”
Mentioning that another strong bond between Greeks and Turks is familiarity with delicious foods and flavors, Mitsotakis said, “Familiarity with delicious foods and flavors is a very strong bond between Greeks and Turks. The same goes for Türkiye. As a foodie, I can tell you from experience that Athens has a very vibrant gastronomic scene, taking traditional Greek cuisine even further, and being able to experiment and discover new possibilities. Cities are living organisms, they change and develop. “Modern Athens is not only a metropolis with a glorious ancient past, but also a dynamic city that bridges the past and the future,” he said.
“EXPRESSLY DEFINED, CANNOT BE EXPANDED”
Regarding Greece’s launch of an express visa application for Turkish citizens for 10 islands, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said: “I must underline that the “visa at door” program for 10 Greek islands is an exemption from Schengen rules; An exemption that the Greek government successfully negotiated with the European Commission. Its philosophy is short visits to Greek islands with ferry connections to the Turkish coast. The exemption from the rules is clearly defined in the agreement with the Commission and cannot be extended. I am very happy with the success of this program. A win-win for both Turkish citizens and local people who want to enjoy the beauties of the Greek islands. “This program is a model for people-to-people contacts, diplomacy and mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.
Speaking about the Greek-Turkish Business Council, the Greek Prime Minister said that his priority is “increasing direct investments in construction, infrastructure, digitalization and agricultural products” and added: “Our decision to establish the Greek-Turkish Business Council as a tool that will bring together President Erdoğan and our business world is a bilateral “I believe that our economic relations can reveal their full potential,” he said.
“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE 2 NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES WORKING TOGETHER IN TRADE”
About his expectations for Turkish-Greek relations in the next 10 years, Mitsotakis said, “I would like to see the two neighboring countries cooperate in trade and economy, launch joint initiatives, and work together on the great challenges of our time. The ties between peoples will be further strengthened and the governments on both shores of the Aegean will be supported.” I hope that we will resolve our differences regarding the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, which will bring about a new dynamic in peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. But even if we do not reach that point, my wish is that ten years from now in our relations. “We will have opened a new and permanent page: a page without tension and crisis, based on honesty, mutual respect and understanding,” he said.
Source: DHA
