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First entry: Monday, January 25, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
The meeting of Greek and Turkish representatives recently concluded in the context of exploratory contacts in Istanbul.
The meeting reportedly lasted from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and took place at the Turkish presidential office in the Dolma Bahce area and not at the hotel, as originally announced.
The Greek delegation, headed by the diplomat Pavlos Apostolidis, who has been dealing with the issue since 2010, shared the same table with the head of the Turkish delegation, Sedat Onal, and the Turkish vice chancellor, Tsagatay Ertsiges. It should be noted that the representative of the Turkish Presidency, Ibrahim Kalin, also participated in the exploratory negotiations.
Journalist Andrew Hopkins monitored the conversations and posted the following photo:
First round of exploratory conversations between #Turkey and #Greece since 2016 they have been completed today. #EastMed.
– Delegations shown below
– Statement from the Turkish side expected soon. pic.twitter.com/OXwNQi3r4S– Andrew Hopkins (@ achopkins1) January 25, 2021
As was known, the Greek side attended the talks, after almost five years, with the subject of discussion only the delimitation of maritime zones (EEZ, continental shelf, territorial waters).
The Greek delegation, led by Ambassador Pavlos Apostolidis, is scheduled to leave Istanbul around 3:00 p.m. to return to Athens, while an announcement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry is awaited.
The next round in Athens
At the same time, according to diplomatic sources, it was agreed that the next round of exploratory contacts will take place in Athens.
Berlin satisfaction
At the same time, the representative of the German Chancellery expressed her satisfaction at the resumption of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey, stressing at the same time that “it is good not to comment from outside on a process that is just beginning.” “At the same time, he stressed the hope that a good solution could be found within the framework of international law.
“We are pleased that the direct talks, which were suspended in 2016, are starting again today and yes, during our presidency in the EU Council we have been very supportive and have worked to have such direct talks,” said Maria Adebar. Last week, Foreign Minister Haiko Maas was in Ankara again for this purpose.
“What issues, what solutions, what steps will be agreed there now, is a matter for the (two) parties. And I think it is good that we do not comment outside now on a process that is beginning, but the subject of discussion and so much more to be agreed by the parties. “And we hope that it will be possible to restore mutual trust and confidence between us, with credibility, so that together we can find a good solution within the framework of International Law”, concluded Ms. Adebar.
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