“Sunday my friend! We don’t threaten you if you don’t threaten us. There is no issue that we cannot solve” he says in his exclusive interview with “Kathimerini”, in Alexis Papahela and the Manoli Kostidithe Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan a few hours before his arrival in Athens.

Erdogan notes: “You asked what I would say to Mr. Mitsotakis. I will tell him this: Kyriakos, my friend, we do not threaten you unless you threaten us. Let us strengthen the trust between our two countries. Let’s increase bilateral cooperation in every sector, economy, trade, transport, energy, health, technology, education, youth issues.

Let us show mutual care and concern to the historical and cultural property of our countries. Whether it is the issues in the Aegean, or the joint fight against irregular immigration, or the ongoing problems of the Turkish minority in Greece, there is no problem that we cannot solve through dialogue on the basis of mutual goodwill.”

“To international justice for all problems”

In another part of his interview he says: “I believe that the problems will be solved in the context of dialogue and goodwill. Of course, there are many interrelated problems that need to be solved in addition to the continental shelf. We must consider them as a whole. A selective approach is not correct. To talk about certain topics and not to talk about others. Because they are all interconnected. When we turn to international justice, we must leave no problem behind. Above all, however, we must speak about all our problems with bravery and properly direct our public opinion.”

“Especially for the Mediterranean there are possibilities and opportunities for cooperation – There are many issues we can cooperate with in the Aegean too”

In the same interview, the Turkish president notes: “Whether or not there are reserves is an issue that can be established as a result of scientific research and not as a result of my personal opinion. From what we see, there have been and are being promising studies regarding this matter. The Mediterranean and the Aegean are basins rich in natural resources. In the current international context, ensuring and maintaining energy security from a strategic point of view has become a key issue. In this sense, especially in the Mediterranean there are possibilities and opportunities for cooperation….There are many issues on which we can cooperate in the Aegean as well. Everything is for the peace and well-being of the people and of our future generations.”