By Antonis Anzoletou

Having completed almost sixteen months of “quietness” in Greek-Turkish every appointment Kyriakou Mitsotakis by Tayyip Erdogan it can only leave a positive impression on the consolidation of the good climate between the two countries. On the Greek side, at discussion that took place on the sidelines of the NATO Summit and lasted 41 minutes, the two leaders proceeded to briefly review bilateral relations after their last meeting last May in Ankara. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the Turkish authorities in the fight against irregular immigration. They agreed to intensify cooperation to achieve the goal of doubling the volume of bilateral trade.

In contrast to their last two meetings in Athens and Ankara, this time there were not too many smiles between the two heads of state. The “calm waters” that have prevailed in no way mean that the neighbors have moved away from their permanent claims that are not consistent with the rules of international law. After the completion of the contacts the foreign ministers George Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan they had a separate meeting to determine the next steps of the dialogue.

On the Greek side, they know that the most “thorny” issue at the moment with the neighbors is the Cypriot with the rhetoric of officials, but also of Tayyip Erdoğan being escalating. In this context, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a message about the need to restart the talks in order to resolve the issue. It is recalled that the moment is special, as in ten days the Greek Prime Minister will be in Nicosia for the commemoration day of the Turkish invasion and Tayyip Erdogan for another one of the usual fiestas he holds in the occupied territories. THE Kyriakos Mitsotakis he emphasized that 50 years after the tragedy of ’74, an EU member state cannot to remain divided. The balance at this time is delicate, as the special envoy of the United Nations Maria Ángel Holguín Cuellar delivered her report on the Cyprus issue, which was expected by the parties involved. Mrs. Holgin asked to meet in Washington with the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey in order to inform them and discuss the content of the report. The meeting with Giorgos Gerapetritis is expected to take place within the day.

Avoiding challenges in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean is a necessary condition for the future to be given the opportunity to bring the critical issues concerning the definition of maritime zones to the discussion table. After all, this is the ultimate goal that has been set. It does not seem that the two sides have reached this point yet and there are many steps to be taken. The next stop will be, as every year, New York at the end of September where a new appointment is scheduled on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Problems with North Macedonia

If with Turkey and after the five meetings between the two leaders the bilateral relations are on the path of normalization, the same is not true with North Macedonia after the recent elections in the neighboring country. The new prime minister Christian Mickoski, once again escalated his provocation, flagrantly violating the Prespa Agreement in the “heart” of the Alliance. Coming to the NATO Summit, he spoke of “Macedonia” – a “Macedonian” government and a “Macedonian” army.

“The violation or selective application of the Prespa Agreement will endanger stability and security in the Western Balkans region,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis reportedly underlined at yesterday’s first NATO meeting, making special reference to the Prespa Agreement and recalling that the its signature allowed the enlargement of the Alliance with the accession of North Macedonia.

“Pacta sunt servanda. We must all remember this”, pointed out Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the presence of Mr. Mitskoski.