Gerapetritis to Fidan: Unilateral Actions Will Not Be Accepted, Athens Affirms
Sofia, June 10 – Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, during his meeting with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Sofia, conveyed a clear message that no unilateral actions can be accepted. Gerapetritis, participating in the Southeast European Cooperation Summit in the Bulgarian capital, made it clear that Athens acts in favor of security and stability in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
No Legal Effect from Unilateral Initiatives
Regarding the impending Turkish legislative initiative, diplomatic sources stated that the Foreign Minister stressed that unilateral actions do not produce legal effects and do not contribute to maintaining a calm climate. He reiterated that the sole difference between Greece and Turkey remains the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf.
Discussions on Cyprus and Bilateral Relations
According to the same sources, the two ministers discussed developments in the Cyprus issue, the upcoming meeting with the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cyprus, and the informal extended meeting on Cyprus. They also discussed bilateral relations and agreed to keep communication channels open.
NATO Summit and Regional Developments on the Agenda
The agenda of the two ministers also included the course of transatlantic relations, ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara in July, as well as regional developments, with an emphasis on the situation in the wider Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking to ERTNews, within the framework of his participation in the Summit and the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, George Gerapetritis stated: “In a conjuncture where wars are raging in our region, there is great vulnerability. It is extremely important for the countries in our region to have the opportunity to cooperate, to have an open dialogue, a spirit of cooperation, so as to reduce tensions and create a genuine spirit of cooperation.”
Connectivity, Energy, and Western Balkans’ European Perspective
“We particularly referred to issues concerning connectivity, energy, but also the pillars of security and cooperation, common defense, and of course the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Greece has undertaken an initiative to accelerate the processes regarding the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union. This is an initiative that started from Thessaloniki and continues today.”
“The one-way road that is currently recorded for the course towards the European family must continue. Greece is an accelerating country and will ensure that, within the framework of the Greek Presidency, in the second half of 2027, there will be tangible results for substantial progress in the integration processes.”
“Thirty years after the first conference, which introduced cooperation in Southeast Europe, today, more than ever, the countries of our region must be close, cooperate, and shape the conditions for peace and prosperity.”
Source: ertnews.gr
