President Erdoğan: The bilateral trade volume should be elevated to a much higher level
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Alexis Tsipras held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations.
Stating that they found the chance to discuss the regional and international issues as well as the relations between Turkey and Greece during their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey and Greece are two neighboring countries that have deep-rooted political, economic, trade, historical, cultural and social relations. Although from time to time some undesirable situations occur between Turkey and Greece, they are rapidly repaired, the President stressed, adding that the trade and economic relations between the two countries are also below the targeted level, and that the bilateral trade volume, which stands at around 3.5 billion euros, should be elevated to a much higher level.
“I BELIEVE TURKEY AND GREECE CAN SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS IN A FAIR AND PEACEFUL MANNER”
Underlining that he believes the two countries can solve their problems in a fair and peaceful manner, President Erdoğan said since his tenure as prime minister, he has always advocated that sincere steps should be taken in the relations with Greece, and that the dialogue channels between the two countries must be kept open in order to sustain this understanding. President Erdoğan continued as follows: “To us, our cognates living in Greece and our Greek citizens in Turkey are not a reason for separation but in fact a reason for cooperation. Our minorities are each a solid bridge for us. With this understanding, we also reviewed our citizens’ problems during our meetings.”
“TO TURKEY, THE POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS IS THE KEY PARAMETER”
Underscoring that the Cyprus issue was also one of the main topics of the discussions, President Erdoğan pointed out that the parties should make the best of the ongoing consultation process, and that they need to set out a joint vision and roadmap before starting a new negotiation process. It must be clear beforehand that what will be negotiated and how it will be negotiated, the President further stressed, and added: “To Turkey, the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots is the key parameter. This necessity must be taken into consideration regardless of what resolution model will be used.”
“EU HAS YET TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES STEMMING FROM THE MARCH 18 AGREEMENT”
Also mentioning irregular migration, President Erdoğan drew attention to the heavy burden on Turkey’s shoulders, and recalled that Turkey hosts nearly 4 million refugees, most of whom are Syrians and Iraqis, and that it has thus far spent over 35 billion dollars on this issue. Underlining that Turkey also exerts great efforts to prevent the deaths in the Aegean Sea, President Erdoğan stated that the agreement signed with the European Union (EU) on March 18 has played a deterrent role in terms of new migration flows. Saying that Turkey fulfills all its responsibilities, including readmission, President Erdoğan stressed that the EU, however, has yet to carry out its responsibilities stemming from the March 18 Agreement, first and foremost the visa-free travel, and added that just like Turkey keeps its promises, it expects the EU side to keep its promises, as well.
“TURKEY AND GREECE ARE THE TWO COUNTRIES THAT KNOW WELL THE BLOODY FACE OF TERRORISM”
Stating that the anti-terror fight was also addressed during the talks, President Erdoğan continued: “Turkey and Greece are the two countries that know well the bloody face of terrorism. It is of paramount importance that this issue be addressed on the basis of alliance and neighborly relations. We must determinedly display a shared stance against terror in all its forms. In this regard, we expect Greece not to be a safe haven for members of terrorist organizations like FETO, PKK and DHKP-C. During our meetings, we once again brought to the attention of our Greek friends our expectation regarding the extradition of the FETO-member coupists to our country. We expect further cooperation from our neighbor Greece on this issue. It is also the expectation of our nation, the families of our martyrs and of our 2,193 veterans wounded by the FETO-member villains at the night of July 15. Inshallah, the upcoming period will be a period during which these expectations will be met.”
GREEK PM TSIPRAS: “WE WORK TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMS THROUGH DIALOGUE”
Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece, for his part, his country has a sincere and special dialogue with Turkey, and that they have achieved to create a positive agenda in the relations between Turkey and Greece. The Greek Prime Minister said they do not want go get stuck on the regional problems, and that they work to find solutions for problems through dialogue. Stating that he and President Erdoğan agreed to further enhance the cooperation between the two countries in security issues, Prime Minister Tsipras, pointing to the importance of the dialogue and communication established with President Erdoğan, said: “I am very happy that the communication channels are open. We can take more productive steps, by this means.”
The press conference proceeded with questions from reporters.
TURKEY-GREECE HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIC COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI
In answer to a question drawing attention to the timing of Prime Minister Tsipras’ visit to Turkey, President Erdoğan said: “A politician’s job is not to win enemies but friends and to make efforts to that end. Otherwise, you cannot be a politician and constantly lose blood. This is our approach to the politics.”
Noting that the Turkey-Greece High Level Strategic Council Meeting will be held in Thessaloniki and that Turkish businesspeople will be accompanying him at that meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the meeting will also see the signing of various documents.
PRIME MINISTER TSIPRAS’ VISIT TO HEYBELIADA SEMINARY
Asked about Prime Minister Tsipras’ visit to the Heybeliada Seminary planned for tomorrow, President Erdoğan expressed his wish for the visit to bring about positive developments and said that Turkey has no reservations about the visit. Noting that both Mr. Tsipras and his predecessors have repeatedly raised the issue of the re-opening of the seminary, President Erdoğan said: “Whenever they brought it up, I raised with them the mufti issue in Western Thrace. I told them ‘you resolve the mufti issue and we resolve the seminary issue. That is fine by us’.”
In response to a question as to whether Greece is planning to extradite eight FETO-member soldiers who fled to Greece following the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, Prime Minister Tsipras said that Greece, as a country that upholds democracy, denounces anyone who took part in the coup attempt but that it is a state of law and that the judicial decisions and the principle of the separation of powers must be respected.
Following the press conference, President Erdoğan hosted an official dinner in honor of Prime Minister Tsipras at the Presidential Complex.
