Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers meet

Venizelos called Cavusoglu's proposal 'a very good idea'. The two officials met on the sidelines of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of BSEC member states in Thessaloniki.

The two ministers discussed the steps that should be taken towards de-escalating the recent tensions regarding Cyprus. In recent weeks tensions between Greece, Cyprus on and Turkey have been on the rise due to Turkish anger at Cyprus’s attempts to exploit offshore hydrocarbon deposits in its Economic Exclusive Zone.

Turkey rejects the Cypriot government’s claims to the deposits although it is isolated internationally in that position. In a provocative move Turkey sent a seismic research vessel, the Barbaros, accompanied by warships to conduct surveys in areas that have already been licensed by Cyprus to international consortia for exploration.  

Venizelos once again insisted on the withdrawal of the Turkish research vessel from Cyprus's EEZ, underlining that its presence in the area constitutes a gross violation of Cyprus Republic's sovereign rights.

The meeting between Venizelos and Cavusoglu was held a week after the Greek-Turkish High Level Cooperation Council that took place in Athens about a week ago. Both ministers commented on the positive reports in the Greek and Turkish media regarding the High Level Cooperation Council.

Venizelos also briefed his Turkish counterpart on his trip to Germany and his meeting with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and they discussed the developments in the regions and the serious issue of the jihadists.

BSEC meeting procedures will be concluded at Friday noon. Cavusoglu has expressed the desire to visit the Yedi Kule. Later he will visit Alexandroupolis and Komotini where he will hold talks with representatives of the Muslim minority.