Turkish FM talks with Greek counterpart in show of solidarity
ANKARA
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias , left, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, smile as they pose for the photographers, on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers' conference in Antalya, Turkey, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. AP Photo
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has spoken with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, upon the latter’s request, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said late June 29.The two ministers exchanged views on Greece’s economic crisis and bilateral cooperation between the two Aegean neighbors, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, which noted that Kotzias’ recent tour of the Balkans was also discussed.
A separate statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry underlined that the conversation took place “in a very warm atmosphere.”
“Mr. Çavuşoğlu assured Mr. Kotzias of the solidarity of the Turkish people and the political and state leadership of Turkey with the Greek government’s efforts to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with its partners in the eurozone,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said.
Greece’s bailout program ends June 30, when the country is unlikely to make a 1.6 billion euro ($1.8 billion) repayment to the International Monetary Fund. Athens and creditors from the IMF and the eurozone failed to agree on the terms of an extension.
Turkey’s Aegean neighbor will conduct a referendum on July 5 about whether to continue with the harsh austerity measures that have been dictated by international creditors, impoverishing the country.
