‘Historic opportunity’ for Turkey in EU

‘It would be a mistake’ for Ankara to miss it, says Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis one day before negotiations are to commence

By Giorgos S. Bourdaras - Kathimerini

At one of Turkey’s crucial turning points in its European adventure, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has issued an appeal to Ankara, the European Union and Greece’s main opposition party.

“It would be a mistake for Turkey to miss out on this historic opportunity,” said Molyviatis in an interview with Kathimerini’s Sunday edition, commenting on reactions within Turkey to the grave concerns expressed within the EU regarding that country’s future in Europe.

At the same time, however, he emphasized that Turkey should begin obeying the rules laid down by Europe and abandon once and for all its military provocations in the Aegean and threat of war against Greece.

“This (behavior) is not fitting for a candidate nation (for EU membership),” he said.

The foreign minister warned against having “illusions” about the nature of and rate of changes in Turkey’s behavior. He also had harsh words for his political rivals.

“We have achieved everything we set out to do,” he claimed in reference to criticism from PASOK, which he said had not, when in power itself, managed to achieve any of the things it was now demanding as opposition party.

Finally, with regard to the dispute over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the foreign minister said it was now up to that neighboring country to make a move.