Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Greek-Turkish relations and his meeting in New York with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, when he left the Friday prayer.

To a journalist’s question about his meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis and when the meeting will be held of the Supreme Strategic Council of Greece-Turkeythe Turkish President replied:

“At the beginning of next year we will hold this meeting of the Supreme Strategic Council. At the moment, Mr. Chagatai, who holds the position of ambassador, continues his talks with his counterpart. And as a result of his talks with his counterpart, we will probably be able to meet early next year.”

Regarding the issues discussed during the bilateral meeting of the two leaders, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “We gave weight to this Supreme Strategic Council as well as some known difficulties that we live (or lived, s.s. in both seasons) in the Aegean. And the prime minister told us that he will put these issues on the table and that he will solve this problem.”

Previously, Tayyip Erdogan, responding to a related question, expressed his country’s desire to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and criticized the existing structure of the international organization and the behavior of the current permanent members of the Council.

In particular, the Turkish President stated: “In the UN there are five permanent members and 15 temporary members (including the non-permanent members of the SA are ten). All decisions depend on the words that will come from the lips of these permanent members. The 15 temporary members have no influence here. These five members are almost in a position to rule the world. Therefore, members like Japan, China, us and Germany etc. although they are trying to become permanent members, they cannot have any influence because they are not currently permanent members.

“As Turkey, we are now trying to become a permanent member, but so far we have not received any results. Permanent members also do not intend to make us a permanent member. The 15 temporary members have nothing to do at this point.”