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Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on the EU to boldly and sincerely decide what kind of relationship it wants to have with Turkey, attending the Brussels Summit, noting that Turkish provocation can no longer be tolerated. In the same vein, French President Em. Referring to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Macron stressed that the member states of the European Union must show solidarity with Greece and Cyprus.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to Turkey’s behavior in the eastern Mediterranean, saying that “the time has come for Europe to boldly and sincerely discuss what kind of relationship it really wants to have with Turkey.” One thing is for sure. Turkish provocation, whether manifested through unilateral actions or manifested through extreme rhetoric, can no longer be tolerated. “This is not only because Turkish behavior violates the sovereign rights of two EU member states, Greece and Cyprus, but also because this Turkish behavior harms important geopolitical interests across Europe in the Mediterranean.”
Two paths open before us, one is the path of diplomatic dialogue, a dialogue that must be based on respect for international law, the avoidance of unilateral action and the rules of good neighborliness. The other way is the escalation of tensions, which will inevitably sooner or later lead Europe to take action against Turkey. Greece has shown in practice that it wants to follow the first path. It is up to Turkey to do the same, but it must do so consistently and with stability, “added the Greek prime minister.
Macron: “The Member States of the European Union must show solidarity with Greece and Cyprus”
The President of France, Emanuel Macron, said referring to the situation in the eastern Mediterranean that the member states of the European Union must show their solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. Arriving at the European Summit, the President of France stated that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is serious and that he will do everything possible to move things towards a peaceful solution.
The European Council will push for a quick solution through negotiations, he added.
Von Der Leyen: total solidarity in Greece and Cyprus
“We will discuss the issue of Turkey. I am sure that the Council will reaffirm its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. Regarding the EU’s relations with Turkey, there are two possibilities: either there will be an increase in tensions, something we do not want, or there will be a de-escalation and we are moving towards a constructive relationship. This is what we want. However, there is a toolbox at the disposal of the EU. We want a reduction. We want a positive agenda, “said the President of the Commission, attending the Summit.
Waiting for discussions in #EUCO today on foreign affairs: EU-China, Belarus, Alexei Navalny poisoning, Nagorno-Karabakh escalation and situation in the eastern Mediterranean.
There is a clear need for Europe to take clear positions and act quickly on global affairs! pic.twitter.com/bAkPVoYKKk– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 1, 2020
Earlier, Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. The government said the two leaders agreed that the EU wanted a good relationship with Turkey and stability in the region. But adding that the EU is ready to use all the tools at its disposal to defend its interests and promote its objectives.
For his part, the Prime Minister during the discussion stressed that Greece wants good neighborly relations without tensions in the region. But it is clear, he added, that it is up to Turkey whether it will choose to cooperate or face the consequences of its behavior.
According to sources cited by the Athens News Agency, the discussion also centered on “the effort to form a united voice of the EU towards an important partner for Europe like Turkey, which, however, seems to be distancing itself from the West.” .
Meeting of @eucopresident with the Prime Minister of Greece @kmitsotakis on today’s topics for #EUCO pic.twitter.com/SkDCUTDKSp
– Barend Leyts (@BarendLeyts) October 1, 2020
The Summit agenda
It is recalled that the agenda of the two-day Summit, which, as the government emphasizes, was provoked by Greece and the Republic of Cyprus on the occasion of the ongoing Turkish provocation, will also include the EU’s relations with China, the pandemic, the Navalny case, Belarus. the escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the single market and Brexit.
The Eastern Mediterranean issue will be discussed on the first day over dinner, the president of the European Council said in an invitation letter to the 27 leaders of the member states.
“Our aim is to create a space for a constructive dialogue with Turkey in order to achieve stability and security throughout the region and to ensure full respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU Member States. This will only be possible if Turkey constructively engages. “All options remain on the table to defend the legitimate interests of the EU and its member states,” Michel said in a letter.
Finally, according to the information, French President Emanuel Macron will participate only on the first day of the Summit, while on Friday he will be represented by Angela Merkel.
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