The European Commission’s report on Turkey should have a dual approach, that puts both the stick and the carrot on the table, stated foreign ministry spokesperson Alexandros Papaioannou at a press briefing on Thursday.
“We are expecting the reports of the EU High Representative and the European Commission on Turkey, which should be sent to the member-states within the comings days. Our position is a two-fold approach: on the one hand to be open to the possibility of examining the points of a positive agenda with Turkey but on the strict condition that Turkey will comply with the commitments it has made,” Papaioannou said.
On the Greek-Turkish exploratory talks, he said that they were held in a ‘good climate’. “Every side has its own views, it is an exchange of views not a negotiation. Our positions are known and fixed,” he added.
Referring to Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’ visit to Ankara, Papaioannou said that “the necessary conditions have been created for this meeting at this time. We hope that this climate will continue”.
Finally, on a possible meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said that “we are moving step by step, what we have now is the two foreign ministers meeting. It is too early yet”.
