Image Source: hindustantimes.com
Greece and Turkey will sit down to tackle long pending issues relating to differences in maritime boundaries and offshore energy sources for the first time since 2016.
On 25 January, the diplomats will meet in Istanbul to begin the exploratory talks. This announcement was made after the European union pledged to expand the number of officials sanctioned over the country's exploration in the disputed waters of Mediterranean sea.
“I believe exploratory talks with Greece will be harbinger of a new era,” in relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told ambassadors from European Union member countries in Ankara on Tuesday. At the same time, Erdogan urged Greece “to avoid fueling tensions” in the eastern Mediterranean.
According to Greece and Cyprus, Turkey's maritime claims infringe their sovereignty and have repeatedly claimed that they demand the Imposition of EU of sweeping economic sanctions.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, addressing EU ambassadors earlier on Tuesday, said he and Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias have agreed to meet following the exploratory talks in Istanbul.