ΑΤΗΕΝS — "Turkey must understand that any escalation of the provocations will have a huge cost for it, both at diplomatic and economic level" stated Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in an interview with Proto Thema newspaper on Sunday.

He said that the essence is that there is a huge gap between the Greek and the Turkish positions and this is due to the fact that Turkey refuses to accept as basis for the solution of any kind of difference the International Law and the Law of the Sea.

Regarding the exploratory talks with Turkey, he said that Greece is waiting from Ankara to propose dates for the 63rd round as the 62nd round was held in Athens in March. He again clarified that the only issues discussed in these unofficial and non-engaging contacts are the delimitation of the continental shelf and of the Economic Exclusive Zone in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean and nothing else.

Referring to the Turkish announcements on the opening of Varosha, Dendias noted that it is not only another illegal Turkish action which violates and ignores the International Law but an organised effort to radically change Cyprus issue resolution framework.

He also made clear that Greece rejects any proposal not provided in the UN Safety Council Treaties on a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

He also referred to the Greek-US relations noting that they are at a very high level adding that, if the health conditions allow it, he will travel to New York in September to take part in the UN Assembly. He also underlined that a visit to Washington is being programmed for October-November 2021.