Kostas Fragogiannis noted with approval that substantial steps have been taken to improve relations, facilitating trade, increasing tourist traffic on both sides, as well as addressing civil defence issues for both sides, in reference to the Greek-Turkish Positive Agenda.
He also noticed in an interview with Parapolitika newspaper:
I would like to stress that the Positive Agenda is the government’s strategic choice, which contributed substantially and decisively to maintaining open channels of communication and a climate of cooperation.
The climate of Greek-Turkish relations changed significantly. Leaders of both countries reaffirmed their intention to develop friendly relations, according to Fragogiannis. The optimistic assessment for a positive development between the two NATO allies can not only be maintained, but also improved, as it is in everyone’s interest, as the Mediterranean region faces profound challenges that require cooperation rather than confrontation and unnecessary rivalry.
“The deepening of the positive climate in Greek-Turkish relations and the further development of our bilateral relations contribute to the overall prosperity in the region. Of course, this does not mean that we are prepared to move in the slightest from our national positions, which we base on the principles of legality and international law,” he said, referring to the importance of touching two points such as national and international.
On Sept. 20, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis affirmed the “positive climate” in relations during a meeting in New York. A schedule of contacts between the two countries for the coming months was also agreed upon.
