Türkiye’s Fahrettin Altun Stresses Importance of Strengthening Ties with Greece

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish Head of Communications, has underscored the significance of bolstering relations between Türkiye and Greece through mutual understanding, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange. Speaking to the Greek newspaper Ta Nea on Sunday, Altun highlighted that the prosperity of future generations depends on strengthening bilateral ties.

“Promoting mutual understanding, expanding trade opportunities, deepening people-to-people ties, and striving for shared prosperity will benefit everyone,” Altun stated. “By prioritizing these goals, we can ensure that those who wish to disrupt progress and block the path to cooperation and peace are sidelined.”

On cultural collaboration, Altun expressed Ankara’s support for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and called for mutual respect regarding sensitive issues such as the Aegean Sea and the rights of the Turkish minority in Greece.

Addressing disputes over the Aegean Sea, Altun emphasized Türkiye’s stance: “It would be beneficial for the Greek public to understand that the Aegean is not a Greek lake and that Türkiye, with its long coastline, shares this sea and has legitimate rights and vital interests in the region.” He stressed the importance of resolving such issues peacefully under international law.

Regarding the Turkish minority in Greece, Altun called for greater freedom and recognition: “The Turkish minority seeks the official recognition of their elected religious leaders and the freedom to express their ethnic identity without fear of legal or administrative repercussions, similar to the freedoms enjoyed by the Greek minority in Türkiye.”

Altun also addressed the long-standing Cyprus issue, criticizing the stalled UN-led negotiations for a “bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.”

“It is time to acknowledge the reality on the ground: the existence of two separate peoples and two separate states on the island of Cyprus. Neither Turkish Cypriots nor Türkiye are willing to waste another 60 years,” he declared.

Looking ahead to the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council between Türkiye and Greece, scheduled to take place in Ankara next year, Altun expressed optimism about advancing bilateral ties. “These meetings cover a wide range of topics and involve high-level engagement from both countries. When it comes to neighbors like Türkiye and Greece, this should naturally be the norm rather than an extraordinary occurrence,” he remarked.

Altun also highlighted the success of Türkiye and Greece’s joint candidacies within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe as an example of their potential for collaboration on international platforms.

“While we have unresolved differences on certain issues, the challenges faced by both countries, as well as our interests in the region and beyond, largely overlap. Cooperation allows us to shift our focus from conflicts to shared objectives,” he said.

Altun concluded with a hopeful outlook on bilateral relations: “When it comes to deepening relations with Greece, there are no limits for us.”

This vision signals Türkiye’s willingness to foster closer ties with Greece, addressing longstanding issues while seeking areas of mutual benefit.