ATHENS — In statements after meeting his Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar in Ljubljiana on Friday, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias once more sent the message that Greece is ready for dialogue with Turkey in the context of international law and the law of the Sea, on the sole difference between the two countries – the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf – but not when subjected to blackmail and pressure.

He underlined that Turkey's deliquency will be discussed at a European level next week, noting that the display of European solidarity is essential: "The EU has drawn up a list of sanctions that will be put to the European Council and whether these sanctions are imposed depends on Turkey's behaviour. I always hope that it won't have to get to that."

Referring to his meeting with Logar, he said that they discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish provocations and its actions that undermine the region's stability, both in the sea and in Libya, Syria and Iraq.

On bilateral relations, he said these were excellent, but "we have neglected them a bit, it took 10 years for a Greek minister to visit Ljubljana and we agreed that this will not happen again."

Dendias thanked his Slovenian countepart for the humanitarian aid sent for Moria and, in this context, they exchanged views on the new European asylum system.

Finally, Dendias referred to Slovenia's request to become member of the Med7 initiative, saying that Greece will fully support it. "Greece want Slovenia, a country strategically placed between central Europe and the Balkans, with a gateway to the Mediterranean, to become a member of this initiative and my wish is that next time I will be in Ljubljana, it will be to talk about the MED8," Dendias said.

On his part, the Slovenian foreign minister expressed Slovenia's solidarity with Greece over the migration issue and the Eastern Mediterranean.

He said that for Slovenia, solidarity is the rule and noted that Slovenia has already sent assistance to Greece and announced that his country has decided to receive four unaccompanied migrant children up to 10 years old.

The minister added that his country will be always be at Greece's disposal in terms of the specific issue and wants to cooperate to find a solution to it.

Logar said that Slovenia supports Greece in terms of the Eastern Mediterranean. "The EU supports Greece in the issue of Eastern Mediterranean and we will also support it at the next EU foreign ministers, meeting," he said.

After his meeting with Logar and between the two countries' delegations at the Slovenian foreign ministry building, Dendias delivered a speech at the joint Foreign and European Affairs parliamentary committees session.

Later, he met with Slovenian president Borut Pahor before departing for the Czech Republic, where he will meet with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.