BERLIN — The German government on Wednesday welcomed a decision by Greece and Turkey to resume bilateral exploratory talks, saying this was a good step ahead of the upcoming European Council, where EU relations with Turkey will be on the agenda.

According to German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert, this will be helpful for EU-Turkey relations but also for the expression of solidarity toward Greece and Cyprus.

"It is a very good sign that the two sides have the will to find a solution on the issues in question – as regards the sea borders in the Eastern Mediterranean – through dialogue and on the basis of international law," Seibert said, noting that it was the first genuinely positive sign after several weeks.

He highlighted Berlin's unchanged position that de-escalation and dialogue between the parties involved are the way to a lasting solution in the region, adding that the resumption of exploratory contacts was good news for stability in the region and EU-Turkey relations. It was now important for these discussions to begin soon and further build trust, he said.

The spokesperson declined to comment further on how this will affect decisions at the upcoming European Council, however.

(ANA/ F. Karaviti)