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Strong signs of de-escalation have been observed in the eastern Mediterranean in recent hours, as Turkish warships withdraw from the area south of Kastellorizo.
According to the information confirmed after the return of Oruc Reis to Antalya, the ships of the Turkish Navy set sail for the Aksaz base, thus showing their intention to reduce the escalation, in view of the meeting of the European Council. At the same time, the Greek ships leave, but it is observed that the Greek forces will remain in the area until the complete withdrawal of the Turks. Indicative of the de-escalation climate is that two Greek frigates left the area, changing missions. The frigate “Lemnos” is now heading to the operation “Peace” in Libya, while the frigate Nikiforos Fokas to another operation in Cyprus.
Diplomatic Marathon – The Movements of Athens
Recently, the government has made important diplomatic moves, activating the international community in an effort to reduce the tension maintained so far by Tayyip Erdogan. In addition, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of The Economist conference said that the escalation of tension by Ankara continues after the resumption of communication between his advisers and Erdogan.
“I have not spoken with Erdogan since our last phone call, but our advisers are in contact, which I think is important. And if we continue down this path, I have clearly said that I am open to starting exploratory talks very soon,” said Mr. Mitsotakis, confirming yesterday’s report from iefimerida.gr, for the reestablishment of communication channels between the two countries.
Petsas: open communication channel, exploratory contacts are likely to begin
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas, responding to journalists’ questions and specifically whether it is possible to initiate exploratory contacts with Turkey before the next Summit, said that there is an open communication channel at the advisory level and if possible, it will be done.
“Continuity and coherence are paramount,” he said, referring to the possibility of Kyriakos Mitsotakis communicating or meeting with Tayyip Erdogan, referring to the prime minister’s relevant response on Sunday from Thessaloniki. This communication should not be news, as long as there are two conditions, there is trust and it is well prepared, he added.
Mitsotakis: If we do not reach an agreement, we will go to The Hague and respect the result
“We have said something very clear from the beginning: we are ready to discuss with Turkey, through exploratory talks, an issue related to the delimitation of the Maritime Zones in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. The discussions have been going on for several years. Progress has been made, but we have never reached an agreement. We will repeat these talks from where they left off in March 2016. And I want to be clear: that if we do not reach an agreement, we are prepared to take the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. And we will respect the decision, which will be based on a joint venture that we will sign with Turkey. We will ask the Court to rule on the issue we have raised. Under international law, when two countries claim rights in a maritime area, unilateral action is not allowed. It is absolutely clean. When we have a disagreement, unilateral actions are not allowed. I think this clear message has been sent to Turkey. There is a package of possible consequences for Turkey if it continues this behavior. I am the last one who would like Europe to move in this direction, but it is clear that the European Union will support Greece and Cyprus. She will not seem divided on this issue. “And I hope that what we saw as a first step towards de-escalation continues and the talks are repeated without threats and without aggressive rhetoric.”
Responding to a question about what would be a continuation of the de-escalation by Turkey, Mr. Mitsotakis noted:
“Obviously you cannot speak if someone unilaterally disputes the subject of the discussions. That is clear, we have made it clear. And I think the last thing both countries want is a total mobilization of our fleets, where there is always the risk of things getting out of control. The important thing is beyond actions, words, rhetoric. I am always very careful when discussing, both in writing and orally. “It’s easy to arouse passion when you address public opinion.”
When asked what he expected from the EU Summit on September 24-25, the Prime Minister said:
“We will see. A week is a long time in politics, especially in European politics. I prefer to come to the Summit on a positive note rather than a negative one. I will refrain from any predictions. Which is clear, if you look at the statements of Josep Borrell, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Turkey has a choice: you can talk to Europe constructively and consequently talk to us. Or you can choose to continue with these unilateral actions – not only here, there is also concern about what is happening in Libya, which is of particular concern to other European countries – and in that case there will be consequences. So the options are clear and we all hope that the choice will be constructive discussion. “
German Ambassador to Athens: Merkel considers de-escalation with Turkey a personal matter
“Germany, during its presidency, may address Turkey in the next European Council with the threat of sanctions but also the deterioration of its relationship with the EU in general,” said the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens, Dr. Ernst Rachel speaking before Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on European Affairs.
Currently, Mr Rachel reports to the special parliamentary committee on the general issues and priorities that will be raised during the German Presidency.
The German ambassador opened the briefing with a reference to relations with Turkey. “We live in very turbulent and difficult times. The issue of relations with Turkey is very important for the German presidency. It is not one of the issues that we have included in the written examination and presentation of the German Presidency. In the meantime, however, things have changed. He is well aware that the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Minister have thoroughly analyzed the question of relations with Turkey. The chancellor considers that it is a personal matter to avoid military conflict, reduce escalation and have a peaceful demarcation of maritime zones. The chancellor has had some success so far. “The research vessel Orus Reic withdrew from Kastellorizo last weekend and if we succeed, we will soon move to the next step, which is the beginning of so-called exploratory contacts,” Rachel said.
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