By George Papaconstantinou
«The ice is broken» in Istanbul and Athens as host of second round of the discussions, is already rolling out the carpet of international law for the Turkish delegation.
Sanctions which, despite the German insistence on the postponement of the determination, are maintained as European weapon.
Besides, the restart of the talks was clearly not going to change the the strategy Athens. Nikos Dendias, once again painted on the European canvas the security countermeasures that will ensure Turkish compliance.
«Well, let's wait and see what the Turks are going to do. But we can be optimistic. Again, this does not mean that the European Union does not keep sanctions as a possibility against Turkey if it violates international law again,» was the clear message from the foreign minister in his interview with Euronews.
Sanctions to prevent the Turkish delinquency, will respond to the threat of war and remind Ankara of its commitment to the European acquis under which the exploratory talks are taking place. This was largely the triptych of interventions by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in the successive meetings he held on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council. The sanctions, as pointed out by the government, are a means of putting pressure on Turkey to change its policy.
It is believed that he has already made a first step, but not the most important. «But it must prove in practice and in the long term that it has changed its course,» the deputy government spokeswoman said, Aristotelia Peloni. This change of course concerns not only Greek-Turkish relations but also the Cyprus, as well as across the whole spectrum of Euro-Turkish relations to take forward the so-called positive agenda.
The Greek reading records as important the fact that now everyone has understood that the illegal and defiant behaviour of the neighbour cannot continue without cost. Moreover, the broad recognition that Turkey's relations with the EU also pass through its relations with Greece, as Ms Peloni underlined.
In any case, the government considers the situation as favourable for the country because of the results of the multifaceted diplomacy, which Athens is gradually capitalising on, but also because of the strengthening of the its operational position, to which the project of targeted reinforcements to the deterrent capability of the Armed Forces contribute.
«We have cautious optimism that we can do better, we will pursue this within the framework of international law,» said State Minister George Gerapetritis, setting the Greek bar.
For Athens the appointment Istanbul, helped to draw up the roadmap for communication between the two delegations.
Furthermore, it is proposed that the meeting to be held on Greek soil should not have a large time distance than the one held in the presidential palace of Dalma Bachet.
