Turkey must end its provocations in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, including lifting its “outrageous” casus belli (cause of war) against Greece, if it wants to normalise bilateral ties and relations with the European Union, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday.
Speaking during a joint press conference with his newly-elected Bulagrian counterpart Kiril Petkov in Sofia, Mitsotakis made clear that Greece is keen to see progress in relations between Turkey and the 27-member bloc, “as we will be the first to benefit (from such a development).”
Asked about the challenges facing the two Balkan countries as a result of pressure from immigration, Mitsotakis emphasised that the external borders of Greece and Bulgaria are also European borders.
“Both countries are protecting (these borders) effectively, with respect to human rights,” he said.
Referring to delays in completing the 240 million euros ($ 270.7 million)
Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline, which was originally planned to have been ready by the end of 2020, Mitsotakis said progress was stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I committed to coming up with a precise timetable. It’s only a matter of months,” he said.
(A version of this article was originally published by the Kathimerini newspaper and is reproduced by permission.)
Ahval