We have significant differences with Turkeybut we can agree on a roadmap for demarcating maritime zones, we are not condemned to live in a constant climate of tensionthe prime minister said Kyriakos Mitsotakis attending the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

Mr. Mitsotakis noted that will have the opportunity to meet with Recep Tayyip Erdoganin the first meeting after the double electoral victory.

“I think both with a strong popular mandate we can take a first step towards normalizing relations” mentioned and added that “a positive climate has developed in recent months. I hope we can build on this for steps forward for the benefit of our peoples.”

Regarding Turkey’s green light for Sweden’s NATO membership, he said: “The reaffirmation of the basic principles of the alliance is today more relevant than ever and I want to welcome the decision on principle of Turkey and President Erdogan to accept Sweden into the alliance and we hope very soon that our friend Sweden will become the 32nd member of the alliance”.

The Prime Minister’s entire statement

“We are meeting over here in Vilnius as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on just a few hundred kilometers away. Consequently reaffirming the basic principles of the alliance is now more necessary than ever and I want to welcome the initial decision of Turkey and President Erdoğan to accept Sweden into the alliance and I wish very soon and officially that our friend Sweden will become the 32nd member of our alliance.

As you know, I will have the opportunity to meet tomorrow personally with President Erdogan in our first meeting after our double electoral victory. I believe that and the two of us with a strong popular mandate can take a first step in restarting the relations between Greece and Turkey. As I have said many times we are not doomed to live with Turkey in a permanent climate of tension.

We obviously have significant differences, but we can agree that based on good neighborly relations but also respect for international law, we will draw up a road map so that we can resolve our geopolitical difference which is none other than the delimitation of the maritime zones, i.e. EEZ and continental shelf, in the Aegean and in the eastern Mediterranean.

A positive climate has developed in recent months in the relations between our two countries and I hope and look forward that we can build on this positive climate and to make some significant progress, progress that will obviously be to the benefit of both our peoples.”