Tsipras: It is important to send a message for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue

"It is important to send a message of support for the resumption of negotiations for a fair and lasting solution based on UN decisions on the Cyprus issue," said Alexis Tsipras, adding that "when these two communities are ready, they must start again. to prepare in such a way as to ensure their success ”
Regarding the coup attempt on July 15 in Turkey, the Greek Prime Minister said: "My position has always been clear. "Greece does not view the coup plotters positively," he said, adding: "In this context, we will continue our cooperation with Turkey in the fields of security and justice."
"I believe that the visit of the Turkish President for the first time in decades is an important opportunity to take bold steps forward," he said.
Regarding the Turkey-EU agreement on refugees, Alexis Tsipras said that "Turkey has shown its commitment to the agreement by implementing its commitments and reducing the flow of refugees to the Aegean."
In an interview with Anatolou, Alexis Tsipras recalled that in early 2000, following the earthquakes in Turkey and Greece, relations between the two countries were built in the context of EU accession negotiations and economic co-operation, adding that "today in the region We and Europe are at a time when we are going through significant difficulties in terms of regional stability, security, immigration and the economy. Turkey and Greece, which are at the crossroads of the three continents, must be able to face these difficulties and be able to take advantage of these opportunities that arise in the region. In this context, it is always more important than ever to develop our dialogue and bilateral relations. "
Alexis Tsipras said that “above all we must promote our positive agenda in relation to our cooperation in immigration, economy and communication between peoples. The EU-Turkey agreement and our bilateral readmission agreement must be pursued as effectively as possible. At the same time there are important plans before us in relation to transport networks, energy, trade, culture and tourism. The TAP-TANAP pipeline is advancing rapidly and there are talks of different gas plans. We will soon start the itineraries between Thessaloniki-Smyrna. We can work on the plans for the reopening of the Thessaloniki-Istanbul train and for future transport plans ".
The Greek Prime Minister also said that the Aegean and the Mediterranean should not be seas of tension and conflict but of peace and dialogue and that relations should be developed on the basis of international law, the Treaty of Lausanne and mutual respect. Stating that airspace violations and increased harassment increase the risk of accidents, he said "this is exactly the time to revive our negotiations on Confidence Building Measures and Exploratory Talks."
Regarding the Cyprus issue, Alexis Tsipras said that "it is important to send a message of support for the resumption of negotiations for a fair and lasting solution based on UN decisions on the Cyprus issue", adding that these negotiations should be ready when the two communities are ready. start again and prepare in a way that ensures their success ”.
The Greek Prime Minister said that the refugee crisis is a proof of how important both bilateral and EU-Turkey cooperation are, adding that Athens is following with great interest Turkey's active role in achieving peace in Syria in the framework of the Astana process. .
Alexis Tsipras said that lately there have been some problems in the relations between the two countries and difficult times. "We must move guided by the mutual support that one people provided to each other during times of natural disasters, the economic crisis in Greece, the terrorist attacks, the attempted treacherous coup in Turkey. "After decades, the first visit of a Turkish president will be an important opportunity for us to take courageous steps forward," he said.
The Greek Prime Minister also said that after the coup attempt on July 15, Greece, stating that it would respect the decisions of the courts in relation to the extradition of the coup plotters who fled to Greece, from there and beyond he had a clear position. "Greece does not view the coup plotters positively. "In this context, we continue our cooperation (with Turkey) in the fields of security and justice," he said.
Alexis Tsipras said that the Greek and Turkish people became an example of solidarity in the refugee crisis, adding that "it is very disturbing the increase of far-right outbreaks in Europe." "The best answer to these hotbeds that use racism and Islamophobia was given by the Greek people to the refugee crisis. "The Greek people, like the Turkish people, showed their solidarity and hospitality despite the difficulties they face in their daily lives," he said.
The Greek Prime Minister said that the refugee problem and security problems made it more important to maintain EU-Turkey relations in a way that is mutually beneficial. "In this sense, Turkey's accession process and the Euro-Turkish dialogue are more important today than ever. We live side by side. As Greeks, we support a democratic Turkey and a Turkey focused on Europe. "I believe that the EU's stance and commitments must be clear and that Turkey must chart its course after a difficult period," he said.
Regarding the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees, Alexis Tsipras said that "Turkey has shown its commitment to the agreement by implementing its commitments and reducing the flow of refugees in the Aegean". However, he said that "in the islands of the eastern Aegean the situation is still difficult. "I will discuss with President Erdogan and then with EU leaders the implementation of the agreement."
Alexis Tsipras, criticizing some EU countries that see the refugee problem as a problem of the Mediterranean, said that this only serves to strengthen the far right. "It serves to remove countries like Greece and Turkey that host 3 million Syrians," he said.
The Greek Prime Minister stated that Greece, which was plagued by the economic crisis, leaving it behind in many things, is now ready to enter a new period of development. "Turkish investors in the real estate, shipping, tourism, construction and energy sectors are already watching closely the great opportunities that are opening up in all these sectors. "During the Supreme Strategic Council and the important Economic Forum that will be held in Thessaloniki in February, I will seek, together with President Erdogan, opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation", noted Alexis Tsipras.

 
Source: Anna Andreou, RIK Turkey