“Our aim is that any disagreements that arise do not produce crises and this is a great legacy,” Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis pointed out in an interview on ERT’s main news bulletin, a few minutes after excoriating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Eleftherios airport. Venizelos”.

“The fullness of time has come for us to have another understanding and this has to do with the fact that we are side by side, we are neighboring countries and we have a duty to look for solutions,” he pointed out and added:

“To put aside the differences that exist and focus on those that unite us: on our positive agenda, on the need to have closer relations as peoples, to have better economic relations and not have the tension that we had”.

“We will go step by step. The reality is that for the last ten months or so we have had a period of calm waters. It is something that I feel has been consolidated,” the foreign minister said.

“There is a genuine willingness on the part of the two countries to move forward in our relationship, to stabilize our ties and take the next step when the conditions are ripe.”

“The only difference, which can be brought before international justice, is the determination of the EEZ and the continental shelf. It’s a difference that goes back decades. When the conditions are ripe, we can also catch this difference”, he underlined.

“My initial mood and the Prime Minister’s order was to proceed prudently, prudently to a situation where we can actually build an honest relationship brick by brick. I think we have succeeded.”

“Today is a historic day”, he characteristically underlined, referring to the signing of the Declaration of Athens on friendship and good neighborly relations.

“It highlights the things that unite us, the need for the two neighboring countries to have friendly relations, a way to decompress their differences so they don’t separate them and cause dangerous situations, and a level of cooperation that will be mutually beneficial. It is a proclamation that signals the next day.”

“We have reached a level where we can move faster,” he noted.

He said that the visit had been prepared minute by minute with great diligence, professionalism, prudence and prudence and “this was evident in a tangible way”.

Even from the kinesiology of the two leaders and the images we saw in the bilateral relations of the ministers “we saw relations of honesty, openness”, he noted.

Asked if Mitsotakis’ response to the minority was planned, Mr Gerapetritis pointed out that “Greek diplomacy is prepared for all eventualities”.

“For the issue of minorities, we know that there is a difference in approach, as there is in the issue of the Middle East and Cyprus. These differences should be discussed. People when they are together and have the right reason in their approach, principles, values, they can always find a solution”.

“We were quite honest, we said we have differences and it was said by all sides, we didn’t hide it, but it became clear that all sides are looking for a quality discussion that will lead to agreements.”

“I can only be honest with my interlocutors and act on the basis of principles and values, and it is something that is appreciated by the other side as well. The same is true from the side of the Turkish minister,” he pointed out and added that there have been many cases during the last decade when many potential tensions have been decompressed at the highest level through discussion and a good interpersonal relationship has developed between the foreign ministers.

Asked about the reports showing him bowing to Turkish President Erdogan upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace, Mr. Gerapetritis characteristically pointed out: “I understand that there are also voices within Greece that are against the approach we are attempting with Turkey. I can accept any point of view, but I do not understand how anyone would try to cast any shadow on this particular visit which is particularly productive for the country.”

And he noted: “I will always pay due respect to the head of my state, as I did on Saturday. After all, I saw President Erdogan in the morning, I welcomed him at the airport and the images speak for themselves.”

“The more a relationship is built, the harder it becomes to shake, and we’ve built a good foundation to build on. Today we concluded 15 agreements and joint declarations, which are both economic in nature, commercial transactions, strengthening of exports and investments. But they also have a social character, very important agreements that help bring people closer together, people next to people. We have made sure that there are student exchanges”.

“I, after today, feel a little stronger that I and the government can handle any tension. Yes, there will be tensions, there is no way two countries living side by side will not have tensions. But with a good will, which is proven in the field and with a right reason and principles in politics, these tensions will not be enough to stop the course for better, more productive relations”.

With regard to informing the representatives of the opposition parties, he pointed out that in the coming days he will inform the National Defense and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament. The next steps include a series of meetings on all three pillars: political dialogue, positive agenda and MoU and of course the meetings of the two leaders.

Finally, he pointed out that a schedule of contacts has been organized until next summer with his counterpart, while the Prime Minister will visit Ankara in the spring.

“All the next steps are planned with seriousness, with prudence, with professionalism.”