Mitsotakis: Turkey's unjustified reaction surprises me

Stating that the conclusions regarding Turkey from the summit were satisfactory for both Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, Mitsotakis said, "It is clear that progress in Turkey-EU relations is also influenced by developments regarding Cyprus."

Stating that the date for his meeting in Ankara with AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been set for May 13, Mitsotakis also evaluated Turkey's reaction to Greece's declaration of a marine park in the Aegean in response to journalists' questions.

"TURKEY'S UNJUSTIFIED REACTION SURPRISES ME"

Mitsotakis said, "Turkey's completely unjustified reaction to an environmental initiative also surprises me. Greece will proceed with these marine parks as promised at the Our Ocean Conference held in Athens."

Stating that the improvement in Turkey-Greece relations has not changed Turkey's views regarding maritime jurisdiction areas in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, Mitsotakis noted that these views pose a serious problem for Greece.

Mitsotakis said, "However, this does not prevent us from investing more in a positive agenda and talking to create a generally positive atmosphere, rather than focusing on issues where we have major disagreements."

TURKEY HAD REACTED

In a written statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 9, it was stated that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced it would declare two new Marine Parks, one in the Aegean Sea and the other in the Ionian Sea, and the following was noted:

"It is known that Greece has long been trying to take advantage of almost every platform in the context of Aegean issues. Despite the recent thaw in our relations, it is seen that Greece is once again exploiting environmental issues.

We advise Greece not to use Aegean issues and matters concerning the status of some islands, islets, and rocks whose sovereignty has not been transferred to Greece by international agreements within the framework of its own agenda."

In the statement, which warned third parties, including the European Union (EU), not to become tools for "Greece's political moves regarding environmental programs," it was emphasized that international maritime law encourages cooperation between coastal states in closed or semi-closed seas, including on environmental issues, and that Turkey is always ready to cooperate with Greece in the Aegean Sea.

The statement, which included the phrase, "We reiterate that we will not accept any de facto situations that Greece may create on geographical formations with disputed status," stated that the marine parks in question would have no legal consequences in the context of the issues between the two countries in the Aegean Sea.

News Source: AA