C’est la vie,’ Greek PM Mitsotakis Says in Response to Canceled Erdogan Talks and Turkey Disputes

The Greek Prime Minister sent a connection to Turkey pursuing the postponed gathering with Turkish President Erdogan. Credit: Dimitris Papamitsos / AMNA

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis utilized a pointed operation successful French—“C’est la vie”—to underscore Greece’s stance successful the latest section of relations with Turkey.

Speaking successful an interrogation with The Wall Street Journal during his sojourn to New York, Mitsotakis addressed Ankara’s irritation implicit Greece’s caller diplomatic and vigor initiatives.

His comments came against the backdrop of the canceled gathering with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the broader recalibration of bilateral ties.

Greece – Turkey: Energy and sovereignty

On Greece’s determination to determination guardant with hydrocarbon exploration southbound of Crete, Mitsotakis was unequivocal. “We workout our sovereign rights southbound of Crete.

This is acknowledged by Chevron, and we volition proceed connected this path,” helium said. Asked astir Ankara’s objections, helium added: “If what we bash causes discomfort successful Turkey, truthful beryllium it. That’s life.”

Athens’ initiatives see the designation of marine parks, exploratory talks with Libya connected maritime boundaries, enlargement of its defence program, and the presumption that Turkey’s information successful the EU’s SAFE programme requires lifting the longstanding casus belli.

Greece – Turkey: Building bridges done tourism

Despite the tensions, Greek Prime Minister pointed to tourism arsenic an illustration of applicable practice betwixt the 2 peoples. More than 100,000 Turkish visitors traveled to Aegean islands this summertime done a fast-track visa program, helium noted.

“This is simply a people-to-people task that shows however we tin physique connected our narration erstwhile it comes to citizens,” the premier curate said.

Tourism continues to beryllium Greece’s largest sector, with 36 cardinal visitors expected this twelvemonth and implicit 100 nonstop play flights from the United States. Still, Mitsotakis stressed the value of sustainability, extending the play beyond the summertime peak, and upgrading the country’s tourism offering.

Economic resilience and growth

Mitsotakis besides highlighted Greece’s economical turnaround.

“From the brink of bankruptcy, Greece has go 1 of Europe’s best-performing economies,” helium said, noting that borrowing costs for Greece are present little than those of France.

He attributed this to fiscal subject and structural reforms. “It’s ever hard to explicate to citizens that you request to tally surpluses to trim debt—but we did it astatine the fastest gait successful the OECD,” helium remarked.

The authorities has besides raised the minimum wage from €650 ($759,06) to €880 ($1.027,65), reduced taxes for young people—ensuring those nether 25 wage nary income tax—and supported the mediate class. “We are creating a virtuous rhythm wherever maturation brings much revenue, which we reinvest successful nationalist services,” helium said.

Looking ahead

Mitsotakis emphasized that the EU’s NextGenerationEU betterment funds, which expire successful 2026, volition beryllium followed by caller financing opportunities, peculiarly successful areas specified arsenic clime argumentation and societal solidarity. “There volition beryllium nary abrupt stop,” helium assured.

In his remarks, the premier curate balanced firmness toward Turkey with a connection of economical assurance and resilience, presenting Greece arsenic some a unchangeable spouse and a state determined to support its sovereignty.