Turkey and Greece could “create fresh momentum for overcoming the chronic points of bilateral friction,” Greek
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos has
maintained, voicing confidence both for the future of bilateral
relations and for the stabilizing role they could play for the whole
region.
“At a time of uncertainty and regional instability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek-Turkish cooperation is a major attainment that must be safeguarded, because it is a stabilizing factor for the whole region,” Venizelos told the Hürriyet Daily News in an exclusive interview.
He also noted that Turkey and Greece, having held the second and latest gathering in March 2013, could hold the third meeting of their joint High Level Cooperation Council before the end of this year.
“I think it is positive that we have reached the point where, even if we disagree, we can discuss things in a civilized manner on all levels, while also looking at ways to upgrade our bilateral cooperation in all sectors - particularly in energy, trade, tourism, and investments. This turns a new page in relations between our two countries,” he said.
Still, when asked to assess Turkey’s approach to regional developments concerning the Arab Spring, Venizelos was less forthcoming.
“We believe it is in Turkey’s interest, as a candidate for accession to the EU, to continue dialogue with the EU and to intensify its efforts to harmonize its foreign policy with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. With regard to the matter of harmonization, a gradual reduction in the level of harmonization has been observed in recent years, since 2010. We have taken joint initiatives in the past, and we could take further initiatives in the future - in economic and energy cooperation, the strengthening of regional stability, the protection of borders, the combating of terrorism, and the management of humanitarian crises - given that we are facing the common challenges of our region,” he said.
Read more: Greece hopeful for fresh impetus in Turkey ties - EUROPE
“At a time of uncertainty and regional instability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek-Turkish cooperation is a major attainment that must be safeguarded, because it is a stabilizing factor for the whole region,” Venizelos told the Hürriyet Daily News in an exclusive interview.
He also noted that Turkey and Greece, having held the second and latest gathering in March 2013, could hold the third meeting of their joint High Level Cooperation Council before the end of this year.
“I think it is positive that we have reached the point where, even if we disagree, we can discuss things in a civilized manner on all levels, while also looking at ways to upgrade our bilateral cooperation in all sectors - particularly in energy, trade, tourism, and investments. This turns a new page in relations between our two countries,” he said.
Still, when asked to assess Turkey’s approach to regional developments concerning the Arab Spring, Venizelos was less forthcoming.
“We believe it is in Turkey’s interest, as a candidate for accession to the EU, to continue dialogue with the EU and to intensify its efforts to harmonize its foreign policy with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. With regard to the matter of harmonization, a gradual reduction in the level of harmonization has been observed in recent years, since 2010. We have taken joint initiatives in the past, and we could take further initiatives in the future - in economic and energy cooperation, the strengthening of regional stability, the protection of borders, the combating of terrorism, and the management of humanitarian crises - given that we are facing the common challenges of our region,” he said.
Read more: Greece hopeful for fresh impetus in Turkey ties - EUROPE
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