«In a peaceful cooperation there is no room for overflights»

The Greek Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou called for an exemplary cooperation between Greece and Turkey, in his speech to 180 Turkish ambassadors in Erzurum.

However, he stressed that this cooperation, always embraced by himself and the Greek people, has certain conditions and distinctively mentioned the Turkish violations in the Aegean. As he said, this gives Greece a different impression from that of peaceful partnership, which is promoted by Erdogan’s government.

As an example he mentioned the overflight of 8 Turkish fighters over Agathonisi, «a small Greek island of 150 inhabitants. What is the point of this violation of Greek sovereignty? These actions will not change the status in the Aegean, you can rest assured. They might be trivial for Turkey but don’t think it’s the same for Greece. Each instance of such action is a reminder for Greek people that Turkey has not decided to create different relations with Greece».

Then, after stressing his disbelief about actions that «can jeopardize the careful and systematic work we have been doing for years in a single day», he asked the Turkish PM as his «credible co-speaker» to «consolidate our mutual trust and build a sturdy peace».

Addressing the Turkish ambassadors, he said: «You are experienced diplomats and know very well that the threat of war has no place in today’s world, neither does it solve any problems, definitely not from a Turkey that declares it does not want any problems with its neighbors».

The Greek PM mentioned the pre-history of the Greco-Turkish friendship, from the time of Venizelos and Ataturk, but also attempts in later years with Greece in the forefront of Turkey’s attempt to enter the EU.

Turkey and Greece’s interests enforced this change, he said, and asked that the Turkish ambassadors keep on trying for their integration in Europe. He also mentioned the issue of illegal immigration and that cooperation against this modern day crime is a must.

Earlier, Papandreou received an overwhelming welcome with shouting and cheers from bystanders in the «Cemal Gürsel» stadium in Erzurum, where he delivered «a message of peace and friendship from the Greek people». «We honor our rich history but both sides have decided to overcome the prejudices of the past. And we took daring initiatives to break the wall of prejudice that has been dividing the two countries» he added in his speech.

Finishing, he wished «good luck» in Turkish to the athletes who will take part in the games.

Taking his turn, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan thanked the Turkish ministers who took part in the building of the stadium and added: «I would also like to thank my friend Giorgos and his colleagues».
 
Marathon meeting between Papandreou and Erdoğan

This was preceded by the 3-hour meeting of the two men in Erzurum. According to diplomatic sources they discussed Greco-Turkish issues, including those arising by the overflight of Turkish fighters over Greek islands in the Aegean. The issue of illegal immigration was also discussed.

Issues regarding the Aegean, among them the Continental shelf, are still being discussed, as the same sources reported, and stressed that the Erzurum meeting did not aim at resolving certain issues and making certain decisions, but at creating a frame for advancing Greco-Turkish relations, which are developing within the institutions that have been decided upon, such as the Supreme Council, the convention of which will be prepared by the forthcoming visit of Turkish foreign minister Ahmed Davutoglu in Athens in March.
 

Political reactions for Papandreou’s visit in Erzurum

LAOS president Giorgos Karatzaferis expressed his opposition to the PM’s visit and characterized as «unthinkable, these things that are happening to our foreign politics» and added «we are going to Erzurum as the “pursuivants” of Karagiozis. If we lose this last chance too, we are lost».