Gerapetritis:Turkiye's course to the EU passes through respect for international law

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, in a doorstep statement on his arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Thursday, stated that "it is self-evident that Turkiye's course to the EU passes through a respect for international law and fundamental rights, as well as all the prerequisites established under EU law".

The minister's full statement was as follows:

"I'm coming to the Council as Greece's foreign minister for the first time. My presence here coincides with a black day for Greeks, that of Turkiye's illegal invasion of Cyprus on July 20,1974.

"During the meeting we will have the opportunity with my counterparts to discuss the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and exchange views on security issues with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"Additonally, I will brief my counterparts on developments in Greek-Turkish relations after a meeting of the two countries' leaders at the NATO Summit in Vilnius and I will point out the prospects opening up after this meeting.

"Finally, we will discuss Greek-Turkish relations. It is self evident that Turkiye's EU course passes through respect for international law and fundamental rights, as well as all the prerequisites established under EU law. I anticipate excellent cooperation for the good of the European family".