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Greek PM urges 'brave steps' to boost ties with Turkey

July 21, 2019 at 11:59 am

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis [Kremlin]

Newly elected Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered to take “brave steps” to boost bilateral relations with Turkey, reported by Anadolu Agency. 

“I call on [Turkish President Recep] Tayyip Erdogan for a mutual approach in which we will take brave steps,” Mitsotakis told the Parliament’s General Assembly meeting.

He said he wanted to proceed in line with international law and refrain from “aggressive rhetoric”.

“We are living together in this geography. Unnecessary tensions and arms race deprive both countries of valuable resources,” he said.

On July 7, Greece’s New Democracy party (ND) led by Mitsotakis scored a clear victory in snap general elections.

READ: Russia slams European sanctions against Turkey

Turkish-Greek ties have been at odds especially due to recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey has consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) also has rights to resources in the area.

Since this spring, Ankara has sent two drilling vessels, Fatih and most recently Yavuz, to the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting the rights of Turkey and the TRNC over the resources of the region.

Athens and Greek Cypriots have opposed the move, threatening to arrest the ships’ crews and enlisting EU leaders to join their criticism.