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"Our unity of understanding with Greece on the fight against terror is growing stronger"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

13.05.2024

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece, President Erdoğan said: "Our unity of understanding with Greece on the fight against terror is growing stronger. We are of the same opinion that there is no room for terrorist organizations in the future of our region."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations at the Presidential Complex.

Describing his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece as sincere and constructive, President Erdoğan said: "We work with a goal of increasing our bilateral trade volume, which approximated six billion dollars last year, to 10 billion dollars. The agreement signed between the Foreign Economic Relations Board and the Union Of Hellenic Chambers Of Commerce will contribute a lot to our efforts."

"FIGHT AGAINST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IS AT THE TOP OF OUR AGENDA"

Stating that the fight against such terrorist organizations as FETO, PKK and DHKP/C is at the top of their agenda, President Erdoğan continued as follows: "Our unity of understanding with Greece on the fight against terror is growing stronger. We are of the same opinion that there is no room for terrorist organizations in the future of our region. Today, I have shared once again with Mr. Prime Minister our expectations from Greece, our neighbor and NATO ally. We see the issue of minorities as a bridge of friendship between our countries. We expect the positive atmosphere in our relations to contribute to the fulfillment of the rights of the Turkish minority and our kinsmen in Greece. It is important to produce a just and lasting resolution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of the realities of the Island. Taking such a step would strengthen the stability and peace of our entire region."

"WE WILL DETERMINEDLY MAINTAIN OUR DIPLOMATIC TALKS AIMED AT PUSHING ISRAEL FOR A CEASEFIRE"

Noting that they have exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the ongoing genocide in Gaza, as well during their talks, President Erdoğan went on to say: "The Israeli administration not only turns a deaf ear to calls for a ceasefire but also do not hesitate to challenge its supporters. Despite the calls by all the conscientious circles, it continues to mercilessly target Rafah, which is the last haven of innocent civilians. The international community, western countries in particular, should raise a louder voice in the face of the massacre of over 35 thousand Palestinians, 15 thousand of them children."

President Erdoğan said: "The resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the full membership of Palestine has shown that establishing an independent, sovereign and geographically-integrated Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital, is the key to a permanent resolution. We are glad that Greece has been one of the 143 member countries that have supported the resolution. I thank Mr. Prime Minister on behalf of our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We as Türkiye will determinedly maintain our diplomatic talks aimed at pushing Israel for a ceasefire and increasing the recognition of the Palestinian state. And we expect that our neighbor Greece will, too, contribute to the international efforts carried out to end the massacres in Gaza."

"IF WE CALL HAMAS A 'TERRORIST ORGANIZATION', THAT WOULD BE A RELENTLESS APPROACH"

Stressing that there is an important issue that he and Mr. Mitsotakis cannot agree on, President Erdoğan stated: "I don't see Hamas as a terrorist organization. On the contrary, Hamas is an organization of resistance, whose territories have been occupied since 1947 and which has been defending its territories after the occupation. This organization of resistance has been defending those places despite nearly 45 thousand casualties caused mercilessly by Israel. We need to understand this. If we call Hamas, which has lost over 40 thousand people as of now, a 'terrorist organization', that would be a relentless approach. Therefore, I do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization. On the contrary I see them as a group of people who are fighting to defend their own territories and own people."

Thanking once again Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece for voting for the UN resolution, President Erdoğan said: "If you call them a 'terrorist organization', it will upset us. I never see Hamas as a terrorist organization and closely follow them at the moment. Over one thousand Hamas members are now under treatment in our hospitals in Türkiye. You could have a wrong approach here, but I by no means agree with your approach. I cannot do it, it would be unjust. Because countless Hamas members are being killed. The entire West is attacking them with all kinds of weapons and ammunition. Despite all this, if you call Hamas, which has been displaced from their own territories and whose territories have been occupied by Israel since 1947, a 'terrorist organization', it will upset us."

Following the joint press conference, President Erdoğan hosted an official dinner in honor of Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece.