Turkish FM extends olive branch to Greece

Greece and Turkey should learn to live together since both countries share the same air and the same sea, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Sunday in an interview with Greek Public Television. “The people of the two nations will benefit if we solve all our problems,” Ahmet Davuto?lu said.

Turkey is keen to join the European Union but is at odds with Greece and the European Union over its policy on the war-divided island of Cyprus. The territorial dispute in the Aegean Sea also complicates already tense relations between the neighbors.

Both countries have recently moved to restore ties after PASOK leader George Papandreou took office as prime minister. In an interview with Greece’s Ta Nea daily, Davuto?lu said the two nations must overcome the differences that have bound them and made them “slaves” for years. 

Davuto?lu said the Turkish and Turkish Cypriots governments have been working for a peaceful solution on Cyprus.

“During the Annan Plan, Turkey and Turkish Cyprus were ready to move forward in a prosperous era of cooperation and friendship. But the Greek Cypriots did not want a peaceful resolution during this period,” Davuto?lu said, referring to U.N.-backed plan that was accepted by the Turkish side but rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004. 

Meanwhile, Greece’s deputy defense minister said his country still supports Turkey’s EU membership bid in a statement regarding Davuto?lu’s remarks on Greek television.

“Greece supports Turkey’s candidacy but wants Turkey to abide to the EU’s guidelines as well,” Panos Mpeglitis said. “Furthermore, it is very interesting that Turkey has changed his opinion with regard Cyprus and also supports a solution based in a mutual confederation and not a two-state solution.” Hurriyet Daily News reported.

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Category: National