Türkiye, Greece can amicably resolve issues without interference from a 3rd party: President Erdogan

ISTANBUL

Türkiye and Greece have enough knowledge, experience, and determination to amicably resolve their bilateral issues without any interference from a third party, said the Turkish president on Friday.

Speaking to journalists on board the presidential plane returning from Greece, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his visit to Greece had a “very positive atmosphere,” adding that it could open a new page in relations between the Aegean neighbors.

Erdogan said that he told Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, “We would have liked to see Greece on the side of Palestine, we wish you hadn't abstained,” referring to an Oct. 27 UN General Assembly vote calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas. It passed 120-14, with 45 abstentions.

On energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish leader underlined that tensions over energy in the Eastern Mediterranean will end up having their worst impact on Türkiye and Greece, both important countries in the region.

“Therefore, we need to be diligent in seeking opportunities and creating possibilities that benefit our countries.”

Just as Türkiye has no design on anyone's rights, it also has a strong determination not to allow its rights to be violated, Erdogan stressed. “Moreover, in the Eastern Mediterranean, inclusive and fair sharing is possible. All we need to do is build the ground for it, create accurate roadmaps, and avoid giving opportunities to provocations.”

Türkiye has consistently argued for a win-win approach to energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, resolving any differences through talks based on principles of just sharing and international law.

The president also added he invited Mitsotakis to come to the Turkish capital Ankara for the next meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council meeting between Türkiye and Greece. Erdogan’s visit to Athens included the council’s fifth meeting.