‘Greece to restart talks with Turkey with optimism’

ATHENS

Greece next week will take part in exploratory talks with Turkey with “self-confidence and optimism,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday.

Speaking to parliament, Mitsotakis said that Greece “will absolutely not negotiate national sovereignty” in the restarted talks with Turkey, set to resume next Monday, Jan. 25 in Istanbul.

He said the talks will only pick up where they left off in 2016, with demarcation of maritime zones being the only topic. Turkish officials have said issues such as the demilitarized status of the Aegean islands should also be addressed.

The exploratory talks first began in 2002, meant to find fair and equitable settlements to issues in the Aegean in the interest of both countries.

After the 60th round of talks in March 2016, Greece suspended the meetings. Talks between the two countries continued in the form of political consultations, but did not return to the exploratory framework.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighborly relations, dialogue and negotiations.

*Writing and contributions by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak in Ankara.

ATHENS

Greece next week will take part in exploratory talks with Turkey with “self-confidence and optimism,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday.

Speaking to parliament, Mitsotakis said that Greece “will absolutely not negotiate national sovereignty” in the restarted talks with Turkey, set to resume next Monday, Jan. 25 in Istanbul.

The exploratory talks first began in 2002, meant to find fair and equitable settlements to issues in the Aegean in the interest of both countries.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighborly relations, dialogue and negotiations.

*Writing and contributions by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak in Ankara.