FM briefs diplomats on policy
The principle of reciprocity – displaying respect and good will and expecting them in return – is the basic tenet of Greek diplomacy, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis told a summit of Greek ambassadors that concluded in Athens yesterday. On the subject of Greek-Turkish relations, Bakoyannis stressed that the re-election of the pro-Europe Islamist-rooted party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a positive development. Regarding Ankara’s EU bid, Athens retains its stance of «full compliance – full membership,» she said. «We have offered an olive branch. It is Turkey’s turn to respond,» she added. Referring to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), from which Athens recently recalled its ambassador for failing to follow the official line, Bakoyannis called «for evidence of a good-neighborly policy.» She said there was «no chance» of FYROM joining NATO under the name Republic of Macedonia. As regards the Cyprus problem, Bakoyannis said efforts were continuing to reach a «fair and viable solution» and blamed the Turkish Cypriots for lack of progress on reunification prospects.
