Greece seeks ‘constructive dialogue’ with Turkey, says minister

Greece seeks to establish a “constructive dialogue” with Turkey and Turkish society, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias announced yesterday.

“Greece does not have any punitive attitude towards Turkey,” Dendias told reporters during a joint press conference in Athens with his Slovenian counterpart, Anže Logar. “Indeed, Greece does not have any punitive attitude towards Turkish society.”

Instead, he explained, his country seeks a constructive dialogue with Turkey and Turkish society. He stressed his belief that a “large part” of Turkish society still hopes for European integration and a “different state of affairs” in Turkey.

The two ministers met to discuss bilateral relations and eastern Mediterranean issues, as well as relations with Turkey. The Greek official pointed out that countries which aspire to join the European Union must “respect the fundamental rules of international law, and the fundamental rules of European legislation.”

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