Dendias: We can reconcile with Turkey, but only under the framework of international law

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during a joint press conference with his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korčok that

As the Greek Foreign Minister reiterated that “the Mitsotakis government seeks to negotiate with everyone and with Turkey.”

“But we must be clear: this can only be done in the context of International Law and in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS,” Dendias continued.

“No solutions can be sought outside this box,” he said, adding: “And of course we hope that the de-escalation observed by the Turkish side will continue in a more intense and convincing way.”

“I would also like to tell you that we proposed to the Turkish side a positive agenda of specific economic cooperation, with the hope that the Turkish side will accept it and from there it will be able to start a gradual change of climate,” the foreign minister stressed.

“I insist that our positions are based on European values ​​and the European acquis. These are European positions,” Dendias concluded.

Korčok arrived in Athens on Wednesday for his first visit since becoming foreign minister in April 2020.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said that his visit highlights the excellent relations between Greece and Slovakia relations.

In a tweet, Dendias said discussions with Korčok had a focus on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans, as well as responses to COVID-19 and migration.

READ MORE: Çavuşoğlu: Dendias and I have been friends since 2003, he upset me.