Migration Min. Kairidis meets with Turkish Ambassador Erciyes: A historic opportunity in bilateral relations

Greece and Turkiye “must not miss a historic opportunity” in their relations, Migration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis said on Tuesday at a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Athens Cagatay Erciyes.

At the cordial meeting, the Greek ministry said in a statement, Kairidis noted that “there is a great opportunity at this time and we must take full advantage of it. It is positive that we have a restart in Turkiye’s relations with the West in general and with Greece specifically.”

Addressing himself to Ambassador Erciyes, he said, “We would like Turkiye’s collaboration. Turkiye is a key state in the control of irregular migration flows, both to Greece and toward Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, and Malta. This control, as carried out today, without the collaboration of Greece and Turkiye, has a higher and unnecessarily cost. Collaboration could bring positive results with less effort, as well as better protection of borders and of human life.”

The Turkish ambassador noted, “There are many psychological obstacles between the two peoples, but the communication channels must be activated again. We are neighbors and ought to establish a culture of collaboration. Our interest does not lie in confrontation.”

Wrapping up the conversation, Kairidis commented, “If there is something to tell our Turkish neighbors it is that this is a historic opportunity that must not be missed.”

SOURCE; ANA-MPA