Even when we do not find easy solutions, we discuss, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said on Friday, in statements after meeting his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, who is visiting Athens.
We had an "initial and sincere discussion of a critical issue," noted the foreign minister.
Gerapetritis pointed out that the problems of the two countries were not magically solved through dialogue,"  and underlined that there were also "difficult moments", but there was also a "direct and honest channel of communication."
He noted that the next round of discussions of the so-called positive agenda will take place in Athens on December 2 and 3, while he recalled that there have been six meetings between the two leaders and two rounds of talks on political dialogue and the positive agenda.
He also emphasised that the contacts between the two countries are acquiring a normality, as should be the case between two neighbours.
Gerapetritis said that the dialogue established with Turkiye had three main aims: resolving thorny issues and deescalating tensions in order to avoid dangerous crises; organising discussion on political dialogue, the positive agenda and confidence-building measures; and preparing meetings between the leaders of the two countries so as to generate a lasting and strong political mandate at the highest level.
"I do not claim that through the dialogue we have developed that the problems in the relations of the two countries have been magically solved; there have been difficult moments in the course of the past year but in each case there was direct and sincere dialogue that averted escalation," he said.
Gerapetritis referred to the preparations for the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council, saying it would be a further step in establishing a good atmosphere in bilateral relations. He said the two sides aimed to expand their cooperation and that the goal was to increase bilateral trade to above 10 billion dollars.
He also referred to their mutual support of their respective candidacies for international organisations, while he stressed Greece's support for Turkiye's EU accession prospects, within the framework of European Council criteria and the European acquis.
On the issue of minorities, he said that "for us they should be bridges of friendship" and stressed that both sides have an obligation to ensure that all citizens within their territory enjoy equality before the state and the law.
Regarding Cyprus, he repeated Greece's position for a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions, in the framework of a bizonal, bi-communal federation.
"In spite of our differences, we hope that the informal meeting of October 15 in New York and the steps agreed there will create the conditions for the resumption of a productive dialogue for a viable, fair and functional solution. In a world full of divisions, a united European Cyprus, apart from the conditions of prosperity that it will create for its citizens, would also serve as an exceedingly important global symbol," he said.
The Greek foreign minister concluded by referring to the conflict in the Middle East and other conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine.
While recognising Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism and calling for the release of all the hostages of October 7, he also emphasised the great concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"On our part, we support the United States road map toward a truce. Also, of course, we highlighted the need to give a tangible vision regarding the founding of a Palestinian state, in the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, while ensuring Israel's security," he said.
He noted Athens' concern over a further escalation of the conflict in the region, including the prospect of another humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Gerapetritis referred to the impact of these crises on the issue of migration, while noting that cooperation between the Greek and Turkish ministries had intensified in the past year and was made even more imperative by recent developments.

Hakan Fidan: Relations between Greece and Turkiye 'moving in a positive direction'

In statements after meeting his Greek counterpart in Athens on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan thanked Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis for his hospitality and said that relations between the two countries are moving in a positive direction, with stronger cooperation in areas such as the economy, tourism and culture.
He noted that there were new areas of cooperation and added that the two sides seek to cooperate and to understand each other.
"In this difficult geography, the two countries must move within a framework of mutual trust and we can contribute to the prosperity of our peoples with a win-win approach," he said. The leaders of the two countries, Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had exerted their political will in this direction, he added.
"Our age-old proximity must become eternal friendship," said Fidan, adding that the road map in the coming months was discussed during the meeting with Gerapetritis. He noted that the 6th meeting of the High-level Cooperation Council will be held in Ankara at the beginning of 2025 and that they discussed possible agreements at this meeting, while contacts between other ministries in the two countries were also increasing. He also said that joint efforts to increase the volume of bilateral trade to 10 billion dollars are continuing.
Referring to the issues concerning the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, Fidan said that "we have to be realistic and properly diagnose the problems". He said that the problems were interrelated and that solutions must be found. "We cannot restrict them to the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone. We must discuss all the problems that can cause friction," he added. He spoke of a "fair distribution in the Eastern Mediterranean," which he said his country supports. "If we act in the spirit of the Athens declaration we will overcome the problems," he added.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, he said it should be discussed "based on the realities on the island" and asserted that "the federation model is no longer valid in Cyprus". Finally, he referred to minority issues and said that he expressed the expectations "that our expatriates have in Greece". He said that Turkiye considers the protection of cultural heritage very important and said that his country can help in this. He also said that he expects "more effective cooperation with Greece in the fight against terrorist organisations, ...because it is of benefit to both countries".
Fidan also spoke of a need to develop bilateral cooperation in tackling with illegal migration, while stressing that "we as Turkiye do not want war in our region". Referring to the Palestinian issue, he said that calm must be secured immediately with a vision of two states, and added: "Netanyahu's fanaticism will continue to stain the region with blood".
Regarding Ukraine, he called for a just solution within the framework of territorial integrity and ended by expressing hope that "we will continue to further strengthen our relations with our ally Greece, and differences of opinion can be resolved with mutual respect on the basis of international law."