Türkiye, thanks to its independent defense industry, is a strong actor at both the regional and international levels. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Yorgos Yeraepetritis.
Yeraepetritis, in an interview with the newspaper to vima, appreciated the foreign policy of Greece.
He emphasized that if the United States reduces NATO support, the countries of the European Union will have to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
This, in his opinion, can be a step towards the autonomy of Europe in the field of defense.
In addition, the minister emphasized the role of Turkey in a possible independent European defense system.
“Turkey, thanks to its independent defense industry, is a strong actor at the regional and international level. She is a NATO partner, therefore, our ally in the transatlantic alliance, and the country in the process of entering the EU. All this provides certain obligations,” the head of the department said.
Relations between Turkey and Greece have become much better
The minister emphasized that the relationship between Turkey and Greece today is much better than two years ago.
According to him, positive steps are taken, including the issue of trade and Cyprus problems.
He said that last week, during an unofficial visit to Istanbul, he spent an informal dinner with Turkey Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. During the meeting, current international and regional issues were discussed, the situation in Cyprus, a meeting of the Higher Council of Cooperation, political dialogue and a positive agenda.
Yeraepetritis noted a significant growth in trade between the two countries recently.
He recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greece Prime Minister Kiriacocakotiytis set a goal – to double the volume of bilateral trade.
Trading cooperation of Turkey and Greece will come to the best level
“We are moving in the right direction. I believe that the coming years will become the best in the history of trade cooperation in Turkey and Greece,” said Jeeproperitis.
The head of the Greek department also said that a meeting of the Higher Council of Cooperation between the two countries is planned to be held in the summer.
According to him, as part of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, contacts are planned to choose the right time for a meeting of the Council.
“I consider it important to move forward small, but stable steps that can perceive both political life and society. Given our disagreements on important issues, what we managed to build in these two years in an effort to renew good cooperation is an achievement that is not so easy to fix,” he said.
Yeraepetritis emphasized that a dialogue that helps prevent crises is established between the two countries, and open communication channels are a guarantee of peace in the region.