H.E. Mr Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic and H.E. Mr Ahmet Davutoǧlu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey met in Athens on December 5-6, 2014 within the framework of the 3rd High Level Cooperation Council meeting between Greece and Turkey. The two Prime Ministers co-chaired the session of the third meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council, with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs as coordinators and Ministers responsible for Development and Competitiveness/Economy, Culture and Sports, Tourism/Culture and Tourism, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks / Transportation, Maritime and Communication, Environment, Energy and Climate Change / Energy and Natural Resources, Public Order and Citizen Protection, Shipping and the Aegean /Interior, as well as Ministers of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Rural Development and Food, EU Affairs, Health, Customs and Trade.
The two Prime Ministers have noted that:
- Both sides recognize the fundamental role of mutual respect, trust, international law and good neighbourly relations for the structured framework of their cooperation, which will further enhance regional peace, stability and prosperity and will stimulate the economic growth of the region. They are committed to further promote the relations between the two countries and open up additional areas of cooperation between them.
- In the light of the increase in their bilateral trade volume and economic cooperation, the two countries agreed to take necessary measures to further strengthen their economic and commercial cooperation.
- Greece and Turkey aim at further promoting their bilateral and regional co-operation in the field of energy, in particular natural gas pipelines and electricity interconnection networks. As far as the transportation of natural gas is concerned, the successful precedent of the TGI pipeline, operational since October 2007, has paved the way for an even closer cooperation between the two countries before the end of this decade. TAP and TANAP, linked together, clearly represent the most cost-efficient route for bringing the Caspian gas to Western Europe (starting from 2020), as verified by the Shah Deniz Consortium decision.
- Cooperation in the field of tourism is of great importance for both countries. Working on joint projects, targeting important overseas markets, should be strongly encouraged. The two countries also welcome the results of the Greek – Turkish Project (1 April 2014 – 31 October 2014) aiming at facilitating the short stay tourist visits from certain Turkish coast areas to seven (7) Greek islands in the eastern Aegean under simplified entry procedures.
- They reiterate their agreement to fight against illegal migration, which creates severe and complex problems and to step up efforts to ensure effective, efficient and swift implementation of the bilateral Greek-Turkish Readmission Protocol. The two countries also agree to improve their efforts to combat trafficking of human beings and organized crime, by enhancing the cooperation among their respective competent Authorities.
- Both sides welcome the signing (16 December 2013) and the entry into force (1 October 2014) of the EU – Turkey Readmission Agreement, as well as the initiation of the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue, which will have a positive impact on Greek -Turkish and EU-Turkey relations.
- International cooperation is instrumental to fight against the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; to this effect, the two countries reiterate their determination to further cooperate addressing this major challenge to the stability of the broader region, including in the framework of the global coalition to counter the terrorist threat stemming from the situation in Syria and Iraq.
- Cooperation in the fields of justice, culture, transport, infrastructure, rural development and food production is an issue of mutual interest. The two sides have agreed to explore ways for its further enhancement.
The two Prime Ministers had also a comprehensive exchange of views on bilateral issues, regional and international developments.
Additionally, they exchanged views on Turkey’s E.U. accession negotiations, inter alia cooperation between Turkey and the EU in the field of foreign and security policy as well as energy policy. The two countries look forward to Turkey’s membership to the EU, in accordance with the criteria and principles of the EU.
- Greece and Turkey agreed to keep the momentum in their Exploratory Talks and Confidence Building Measures discussions.
- The two Prime Ministers also addressed the Business Forum that took place within the framework of the 3rd High Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Turkey.
- H.E the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Ahmet Davutoǧlu, was received by H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Karolos Papoulias.
Antonis Samaras Ahmet Davutoǧlu
December 6, 2014