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Developments in Greek-Turkish are rapid at a time when tension in the eastern Mediterranean is on “red”. The international community has been making one last effort in recent days to bring Athens and Ankara to the table for dialogue, with concern about provoking a heated episode being evident.
The effort seems to be paying off in part since, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoldenberg, the two sides agreed to initiate technical consultations in NATO, to establish military de-escalation mechanisms to reduce the risk of the Mediterranean.
According to Stoltenberg, Greece and Turkey are valuable allies and NATO is an important platform for all security issues.
In this context, he affirms, he remains in contact with all interested allies to find a solution to the tensions in the spirit of NATO solidarity.
At the same time, however, Greek diplomatic sources denied the existence of such an agreement.
Stoltenberg’s statement in detail
“After my talks with the Greek and Turkish leaders, the two allies agreed to initiate technical talks with NATO to establish military decompression mechanisms to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Greece and Turkey are valuable allies and NATO is an important platform for consultation on all issues affecting our common security.” I remain in close contact with all concerned allies to find a solution to tensions in spirit. of NATO solidarity “.
Following my discussions with the Greek and Turkish leaders, the two allies agreed to engage in technical talks in #NATO to establish conflict mechanisms and reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the #EastMed. https://t.co/Kc70MlNPzY
– Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 3, 2020
Turn (?) Erdogan: We can find a diplomatic solution
Despite the incendiary statements in recent hours, Erdogan is reported to be willing to follow the diplomatic path on the issue of Turkey’s disputes with Greece over rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It seems that yesterday the intervention of the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who asked Athens and Ankara for a moratorium and the start of a dialogue, played a decisive role.
Ankara’s intention to sit at the dialogue table was revealed by Tayyip Erdogan himself, who, according to Turkish newspapers, had the following to say in a closed-door meeting of party officials:
“On the issue of the Eastern Mediterranean, we will advance in the context of diplomacy. Turkey is 100% right in its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. In case the opposite side also walks away from the steps of increasing intensity, then in the Eastern Mediterranean, through diplomacy, we can implement the policy of “cauldron-cauldron (win-win)”. We must highlight the collaborations and mutual support efforts that we had with the countries of the region, mainly with Greece. Bring this effort to the dialogue table and explain it to the public. “
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