With a statement issued by SYRIZA regarding the meeting between Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Erdogan, it criticizes the prime minister and accuses him of exploiting Greek-Turkish relations in the past with the aim of hurting the official opposition, however, he characterizes the reactivation of communication channels with the Turkey.

Here is the SYRIZA press release:

The government is asked to answer 3 questions regarding Mr. Mitsotakis’ meeting with the Turkish President

It does not surprise anyone that Mr. Mitsotakis, after years of adventurously exploiting the Greek-Turkish language to hurt the Official Opposition, accusing it of being a “national exception” for which “patriotism is a foreign word”, even announcing that he will raise the issue of Thrace in the Mr. Erdogan, who is currently abroad, is making a 180-degree turn. He forgets his incendiary pre-election rhetoric and wears the suit of moderation and diplomacy.

SYRIZA-PS, with a sense of responsibility towards the citizens, is not going to follow him on the path of instrumentalizing and exploiting sensitive national issues for vote-hunting and petty party reasons.

The meeting of Mr. Mitsotakis with the Turkish President and the decision to activate communication channels with the neighbor are positive developments that we support. They will work in favor of Greece’s interests only if they are carried out in the context of a national strategy to engage Turkey in a structured dialogue, with a Hague perspective and clear Greek red lines. Otherwise, Turkey will use the meeting to project internationally the image of flexibility and moderation that is useful for its own interests, until it returns to tension once it secures what it claims.

In this context, and beyond the laudatory tones of the friendly media, we expect from the Government an update on the results of both the meeting and the Synod as well as answers to 3 specific questions:

1. Why does Mr. Mitsotakis change the country’s fixed position and refer to our legal dispute with Turkey regarding the continental shelf / EEZ as “geopolitics”?

2. Does the Greek Government demand conditions for the sale of F16 to Turkey directly from the American one, or does it place its hopes exclusively on the all-important efforts in Congress? Did Mr. Mitsotakis raise the issue with the American President or is he still limited to the doctrine of a loyal and given ally?

3. The President of the European Council announced an initiative to restart Euro-Turkish relations. Will Mr. Mitsotakis put Greece’s positive agenda and conditions in this context?