Mitsotakis with Sisi and Anastasiadis: Turkey's gunboat diplomacy doesn't belong in the 21st century

By 3 years ago

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the provocation and aggressive rhetoric of Turkey against Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, a fact that is reflected in the joint declaration of the Tripartite Summit.

Mitsotakis referred to Turkey's harassment against the Nautical Geo research ship and the illegal drilling by Turkey in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone as incidents that "leave no room for misinterpretation of Ankara's intentions".

As he said in a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Turkish leadership has shown that it does not understand the messages of the international community.

He also stressed that Turkey's aspirations are a " threat to peace in the wider region" of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.

The Prime Minister also made a clear reference to the Cyprus issue, stating that Ankara does not maintain a "constructive stance" for its resolution.

Greece, Cyprus and Egypt agree that the only way forward is UN Security Council resolutions, and in particular the resumption of negotiations with Turkey.

At the same time, Mitsotakis stated that Greece has been established as a force that guarantees the power of security, international legitimacy and peace.

He added that Greece "declares its intentions with its actions: it shields its defence, signs cooperation agreements in the light of international law and consolidates a strategic role in the region."

As he said, Athens, Nicosia and Cairo have declared their commitment to international legality as they have signed agreements on the delimitation of maritime zones based on the International Law of the Sea.

The Greek Prime Minister contrasted the good neighbourly relations of the three countries in contrast to the "policy of gunboats, threats of war and practices that do not belong in the 21st century."

The issue of Libya was also discussed between the three leaders.

The three countries agreed that the elections in December and the withdrawal of all troops are paramount.

Mitsotakis stated that Greece has undertaken humanitarian initiatives and proposals for economic cooperation in Libya, emphasising the diplomatic contribution of Athens.

Finally, the three countries expressed their concern about Afghanistan and agreed that the normalisation of the situation is paramount.

It is recalled that Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have signed memoranda of cooperation on the interconnection of electricity transmission, as well as on issues abroad.

READ MORE: Dendias on Turkey sanctions: EU showed solidarity with Belarus and must show solidarity with Cyprus.

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Athens Bureau