National Defence Minister Panos Beglitis (L), speaking after his first meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Yilmaz, in the framework of the session of Defence ministers of countries of Southeastern Europe in Antalya on Sunday, said "I raised the issue of Confidence Building Measures, where sincerely we have achieved considerable progress, but the two sides can work even more to enable us to create a climate of mutual trust, to reduce the mistrust between the two sides."
Beglitis also said that in this meeting he conveyed the Greek government's concern over the recent violations of Greek airspace on the part of Turkish aircraft.
"I raised this issue on the basis of relations of good neighbourliness, relations that could be undermined if these attitudes continue on the part of Turkey. We agreed to discuss this issue and indeed very soon, in the framework of a regular dialogue that we agreed to establish with the Turkish Defence minister," he added.
Beglitis further said "we also discussed Turkey's actions in the region of Kastelorizo. I also raised this issue, because these practices are not compatible with International Law and I said this very sincerely, as a concern and scepticism on the part of Greece and the Greek government."
The two sides also exchanged views on developments in the wider region, including those in Cyprus, on the occasion of research continuing in the framework of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
"I also stressed to my Turkish colleague that relations between the two countries depend on the good climate, on the reduction of tension and the consolidation of security, stability and relations of good neighbourliness between our two countries," Beglitis added.
AMNA
