Yilmaz comments bring forth compensation issue on behalf of Ankara

Multiple reactions in the Greek political scene is what the statements of former Turkish premier, Mesut Yilmaz, have caused, regarding arson by Turks on Greek soil in the period between 1995 and 1997, during Tansu Ciller’s premiership.

Greek parties are asking for an enquiry and compensation for what the country has been through.

Commenting on the matter, ND Foreign Policy man Panos Panagiotopoulos said, “the revelation by Mesut Yilmaz has given rise to heavy shadows hanging above Greek-Turkish relations…Erdogan government has to provide Greece with all information needed so as to reveal every facet of the issue in question and then compensate Greece for the great damage caused”.

Moreover, Panayiotopoulos said the political aspect now visible is very important and expects even the EU to act accordingly.

The LAOS party issued a statement which reads, “when then-ND MP and present LAOS head, Yiorgos Karatzaferis, mentioned the acts of Turkish agents-arsonists, the political figures at the time responded with the usual force, speaking of extremities and similar…silly words”.

Democratic Alliance president Dora Bakoyannnis also commented on Yilmaz's statements, saying, “his comments reveal that during the Ciller administration there was a budget set up solely and exclusively for arson in Greek forests on the Eastern Aegean islands, thus showing Turkey’s practices in the most creepy of ways”.

Bakoyannis asked the Greek government officials:

- to pledge themselves to the cause of denouncing, through the Greek FM, Turkey’s wrong doings to the EU and all international fora.

- to ask for indemnity.

- last but not least, to ask the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry to complete the relevant work so as to move forward with the reforestation of the affected islands.