“Any Turkish aggressive action against Greece would not only be unacceptable and condemnable but would find the Greek people united in confronting this irresponsible and revisionist perception,” Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, stated in response to a journalist’s question following his meeting today with Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bojan Maricikj.
In particular, Mr.Varvitsiotis emphasized that respect for International Law is the only solid basis for building good bilateral relations with neighbouring countries and especially with Turkey and that any kind of revisionism in the region is condemnable. At any rate, this is also the message sent by the international community which condemns any violation of International Law. Furthermore, he underlined that Ankara should take note of Greece’s good relations with North Macedonia, which develop on the basis of international law and lead to a prosperous future for both nations.
Referring to the process of North Macedonia’s accession to the European Union, the Alternate Minister expressed our country’s firm support for the Western Balkans’ European perspective, which was already outlined in the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda. “Its accession will enhance stability and security in the region, both politically and economically, as well as in the energy sector,” he highlighted, adding that closer cooperation between our countries can contribute to energy stability in the wider South-Eastern European region. However, he underscored that North Macedonia’s European perspective is connected with the full and unconditional implementation of the Prespa Agreement.
On his part, Mr. Maricikj noted that today’s meeting with Mr. Varvitsiotis sends a message of good neighbourly relations and of building a common European future. “Greece has a leading role in supporting the European perspective of the Western Balkans,” he pointedly stated. Asked to comment on Turkish provocative conduct, Mr. Maricikj said that North Macedonia has always respected International Law.