Calamos Supports Greece
GreekReporter.comGreek NewsDiplomacyGreece's FM Kotzias Calls for Peaceful Coexistence With Turkey

Greece's FM Kotzias Calls for Peaceful Coexistence With Turkey


Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has said that he believes there is no alternative to peace and peaceful coexistence with Turkey, and he does not consider war between the two countries inevitable.
Kotzias made relevant statements in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, the text of which was circulated by the press service of the Greek Foreign Ministry. The entire interview was devoted to the Greek-Turkish relations.
“No, there is no alternative to peace and peaceful coexistence, but that does not mean that we do not take into account the behavior of any of our neighbors and how they solve the problems. All the neighbors and even all the best families have problems. They must be resolved peacefully, on the basis of international law,” Kotzias said when asked whether Greece was preparing for a possible war with Turkey.
At the same time, the minister stressed that the intention to solve problems peacefully should not be seen as a weakness.
“My Turkish friends must understand that in no case our friendly attitude and our readiness to respond diplomatically even to military challenges should be seen as a weakness, it is the behavior of responsibility, which shows the strength of character and potential,” Kotzias stated.
Asked whether Greece, which is going through a serious financial crisis, can withstand the arms race with Turkey, Kotzias said that Athens did not have such funds, material and technical base as Ankara did, but there was a difference between the price of offensive and defensive weapons.
“There is a defense with limited costs, based on our economic potential, we are strengthening our defense, we have good personnel and armament. Six German submarines [previously purchased by Greece] are formidable weapons in the seas. Turkey invests in major projects such as ordering aircraft carrier, but Greece has two thousand islands,” the minister noted.
Relations between Athens and Ankara have been strained and acrimonious over the two Greek soldiers that are being held in Turkey since last month and the eight Turkish servicemen that fled to Greece in 2016 in the aftermath of the botched coup attempt, whom Ankara wants extradited.
The two issues are not connected, Kotzias said as Greece did not arrest the eight Turkish servicemen. They asked for asylum, he said, adding that this is in contrast with the case of the two Greek soldiers who are not asking for asylum in Turkey and were arrested against their will.

See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!



Related Posts