Greek & Turkish Defense Ministers Hold Productive Brussels Meeting

The two defense leaders reviewed the Cyprus divide, bilateral relations, and the geopolitical environment from Ukraine to Tunisia. According to Parikiaki, Avramopoulos stated to his Turkish colleague, "...once the Cyprus problem is solved, then a huge energy will be released to the benefit of our bilateral relations in all areas".

Yilmaz commented, "We expressed our political will to solve the Cyprus problem in a very short time, and we offer our support as does the Greek side". The meeting has been described as very positive and crucial, and it released tension felt on both Ministerial sides.

The Greek Defense Minister described, "We want to work for the establishment of an environment of security and stability, the two countries can work together, so at this arc of instability stretching from Tunisia to Ukraine will turn into an agent of stability for the region".

The Turkish Minister is reported to have stated that the two nations need to be stable amongst one another and that the Aegean Sea should be transformed into a sea of peace, not one plagued by problems. This will offer financial growth and benefits for all involved.