Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis addressed Turkey’s provocative policy of questioning Greek sovereign rights in recent weeks at a meeting of the European Union’s (EU) General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) last week.
“This policy is unacceptable,” Bakoyannis said at a press-conference at the end of the meeting, noting that EU governments should have a clear picture of the situation in view of the EU Commission’s assessment report on Turkey’s accession course, due to be publicised in December.
“Until now, Turkey has not respected her commitments,” Bakoyannis noted, underlying that EU accession negotiations were founded on principles that clearly define the obligation of respecting good neighbourly relations and the peaceful resolution of differences. “Compliance a la carte and selective implementation of what has been agreed upon cannot be accepted,” the Minister said.
Greece was the most sincere supporter of Turkish accession, according to Bakoyannis.
However she emphasised that Greece’s steadfast support for Turkey’s candidacy was in direct proportion to the need for Turkey to respect international law and practice good neighbourly relations.
