In the Informal “Gymnich” Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union, in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis is participating today.

The subject of the agenda of the meeting will be the crisis in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, EU-Africa relations and Euro-Turkish relations.

“Relations between Greece and Turkey have recently improved. It is a necessary condition in order for the Euro-Turkish relationship to progress,” said the Foreign Minister, coming to the informal council.

On the other hand, as noted by Mr. Gerapetritis, “it should be constantly demonstrated that there is also a willingness on the part of Turkey to improve Euro-Turkish relations, always respecting the milestones of the European acquis”.

“Greece is always in favor of Turkey’s European course. It is in the interest of both the European Union and stability in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean”, he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that “Turkey, of course, should recognize the issues, which are highly sensitive for the member states of the European Union, while regarding the Cyprus issue he pointed out that “”there must be tangible evidence that there is a willingness to continue the dialogue on the Cyprus issue, based on the decisions of the Security Council of the United Nations Organization.Greece will be present in this process.

The following is the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis:

“We are approaching, today, the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the member states of the European Union, in the midst of diffusion rather than contraction of crises.

That is why we will discuss and I hope we will have substantial results, to be able to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine, to be able to strengthen the institutions in Africa, to be able to find that way, so that hostilities in the Middle East and to have a meaningful discussion for a lasting solution, which will ensure prosperity and peace in the wider region.

We will also discuss the issues concerning Euro-Turkish relations. Greece is always in favor of Turkey’s European course. It is in the interest of both the European Union and stability in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey, of course, should recognize the issues, which are highly sensitive for the member states of the European Union. In particular, there should be tangible evidence that there is a willingness to continue the dialogue on the Cyprus issue on the basis of the decisions of the United Nations Security Council. Greece will be present in this process.

Relations between Greece and Turkey have recently improved. It is a necessary condition for the Euro-Turkish relationship to progress. On the other hand, it should be constantly demonstrated that there is also a willingness on the part of Turkey to improve Euro-Turkish relations, always respecting the milestones of the European acquis.

The European Union must be present in major crises and must be able to manage the major issues that concern the world with one voice.”