German FM calls for ‘direct discussions’ between Greece and Turkey
“The windows for dialogue between Greece and Turkey must now be
opened further and not closed,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in an
emailed statement before meeting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and
his counterpart, Nikos Dendias, in Athens on Tuesday.
“Instead of new provocations, we finally need steps toward
an easing of tensions and to initiate direct discussions,” Bloomberg reported
Maas as saying as he heads to Greece and Turkey on Tuesday in a bid to ease
tension between the two neighbors and NATO allies, which have peaked
dangerously over recent weeks over energy prospecting rights in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
After Athens, Maas is scheduled to travel to Ankara, where
he will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Maas’ visit comes ahead of a meeting of European Union
foreign ministers later this week, in which Turkey is expected to be discussed.
“Greece’s voice will have special weight,” Maas said of the
discussion.
