“The resumption of the exploratory talks is a good step. Turkey has shown a willingness to alter its course. The question is, will this willingness and conduct prove stable, lasting and consistent?” Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis stressed in his interview on SKAI TV’s morning show ‘Simera’, with journalists Dimitris Economou and Maria Anastasopoulou.
Mr. Varvitsiotis pointed out that the threat of sanctions and the fact that there will have been three European Council meetings on this issue in the space of six months – the ones in October and December 2020 and the upcoming meeting in March – drove Turkey to de-escalate the tensions. He also stressed, however, that Greece welcomes this change in course on the part of Ankara, as well as the fact that the Oruc Reis is no longer a provocative presence in the southeastern Mediterranean. “Ankara’s rhetoric is aimed at appeasing Europe and showing its willingness to cooperation. The question is, will this last?” he said.
Asked about the matter of vaccine supplies in Europe, the Alternate Minister noted that the European Commission has taken on an enormous task, negotiating the issue on behalf of the member states and averting competition between European partners. He added that the EU will have taken delivery of millions doses of vaccines by April if deliveries are made as scheduled.
January 27, 2021