Tsipras: “Greece and Turkiye should return to active dialogue”
SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras said that "raising tensions is of no benefit to anyone," speaking about Greece-Turkey relations from the remote island of Symi, northwest of Rhodes island, on Wednesday.
According to AMNA, the main opposition party leader is currently visiting both the islands of Rhodes and Symi. He added that "heightening the rhetoric and tension and casting doubt on international treaties is ineffective and benefits no one. Whatever happens, the Greek people and Greece will defend their sovereignty and sovereign rights, and in this all Greeks are united."
Referring to Greeks and Turks as peoples, Tsipras said that "they have no disputes," but the only point of contention between Greece and Turkey "concerns the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone, which must be resolved on the basis of International Law at the International Court of Justice in The Hague."
Therefore, he noted addressing himself to "the democratic political forces of our neighbors" to continue supporting talks and peace."
"I encourage all these ordinary people to resist this climate of tension," he stressed, and noted "we have to set up actions that mark the two people's friendship, and highlight the notions of peace and stability." Nationalism, he stressed, "endangers not only peace but also social cohesion and democracy in every country."
His message from Symi, Tsipras highlighted, is one of "determination and of the need for peace and cooperation between the two peoples," he concluded.
Speaking to "Rodiaki" newspaper earlier in the day in Rhodes, Tsipras said that the Greek government "gives everything away to its allies, be it weapons to Ukraine, be it indefinite access to Greek [military] facilities, without any exchange or guarantee. As a result, Greece gets involved in more dangers and our allies do not exert the necessary pressure on Turkey to end the tension and return to active dialogue," he pointed out.
Asked about the government's islands policy, Tsipras said that due to the fact that "of Aegean border islanders especially, who have shown in various crises calmness, and proven their solidarity and humanity many times and, must be protected and strengthened through a set of policies aimed at developing, improving everyday life," justifying their insistence on remaining on these islands despite the difficulties.
