Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis responded to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s statements, noting that “Greece pursues an active and consistent foreign policy that is based on the universal values ​​of international law and is not mutually exclusive. He will not depart from these principles and whoever is disturbed must accept it, because hints and criticisms are not acceptable. Greece actively pursues peace and good neighborly relations, however, there can be no discussion in matters of national interest.”

In statements, Mr. Fidan had said: “Our president gives every elected Greek prime minister a chance. There is no one to whom he does not give a chance. Look, our president is the only person with the political legitimacy to resolve the Turkey-Greece and Turkey-Cyprus issues. I say this with a politically realistic analysis. The Greeks know this, the Cypriots know it, everyone knows it. In these sensitive matters with history, this people moves only with the decisions and responsibility of this leader. We’ve said it a thousand times, take advantage of this opportunity. No political legitimacy in Greece is strong enough to end the problems with Turkey.

»I want to address them from here: The Turks and the Greeks are now the ancient peoples of the region. So we need to break out of this impasse. The future awaits us. So let’s sit down and discuss our existing problems in a civilized manner. If you keep producing threatening language, Turkey will produce ten times more. There is no reason for that. Let’s not base our policy on that. Are we building politics in Turkey around anti-Greek arguments? Are we talking about Greece day and night? I mean, why are you doing this?

» The fact that the Greek prime minister, in order to defend himself, is bragging to the Greek Parliament about how they will not accept Turkey in the SAFE program is something worth exposing. Europe’s system, its security system, has been taken over by one or two countries like Greece. It has been hacked. These countries have no interest in European security. As you know, Greece withdrew from the NATO military pact in 1974 and returned in 1980. Turkey accepted it then. He could have refused.

» We now expect the same maturity from Greece. Here there is a big issue for European security, it is bigger than the supposed problems between us. I don’t know where you can go with this perspective. On Monday, a meeting of the European Council of Ministers will take place in Luxembourg. We are invited there. God willing, we will go there. Our Greek colleague has also requested a meeting there. And I meet him. Frankly, I do not think that our counterparts and interlocutors in Greece are very happy with this situation.

Because the politics there is based on hostility towards Turkey, people there are forced to say certain things to defend themselves. But when that rhetoric turns into action, we watch closely. Neither the initiatives against Turkey in Europe nor the efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean escape our attention.

» We have an incredibly good chance of resolving this peacefully. There is the will. There is Mr. Mitsotakis, here is Mr. Erdogan. Let’s solve these problems. In other words, if we continue to use threatening language against each other, this will not end well. The Minister of Defense of Greece, the Prime Minister of Greece are using threatening rhetoric, without us having said anything…

» Turkey is a country with a high level of security, a strong sense of security and a high level of sensitivity. With effect when you come with a language of peace, this country comes to you with a language of peace. When you come with a different language, it comes with a different language. Look, we are not the first country to introduce this language. You use this language. When you use this language, don’t even think about expecting another language in return. But we will never be the first to introduce it. Our first language is greetings, peace. Let’s make peace, let’s sit down, let’s talk. This is our President’s method.

» I don’t accept 12 miles, you don’t accept 6 miles can be discussed… at some points… these were discussed with the exploratory contacts, they proceeded at some points. The problem in the Aegean is not a problem that cannot be solved. As long as there is political will, this problem can be solved. Everyone is afraid of this: “If I solve this problem, will it cost me my power?” This is the problem in Greece. In Greece, if they say that regardless of the issue of my remaining in power, I will solve a Greece-Turkey issue. We hope that we will have the opportunity to do this while Mr. Mitsotakis is in power. I believe he himself desires this.

» But I repeat here: we have no problem watching the events, knowing them, developing the necessary scenarios and, thank God, taking the necessary precautions. But our first approach is, please, let’s not waste any more time. Eternal peace between Turkey and Greece is possible in the Aegean Sea. Let’s make her strong. It is strong in the Mediterranean. Let’s make it possible in the Mediterranean as well. Equal sovereign partners, peace and coexistence between Turks and Greeks on the island of Cyprus is also possible. Let’s make that possible too. So this is our message. Let’s hope it resonates.”