Greece accuses Ankara of creating tension
The European parliamentarians in Strasbourg on Thursday expressed their fears of destabilization in Europe if the Turkish authorities execute the leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, and called on Ankara to immediately give up this decision.
In a decision they adopted in a general session of the European parliament, the parliamentarians said the execution of Ocalan will have grave consequences on security and stability in Europe.
Simultaneously, the European parliamentarians called on the PKK to put an end to the acts of violence and to cooperate in finding a peaceful solution in Turkey.
On Wednesday, the rotating presidency of the European Union asked Turkey not to carry out the decision to execute Ocalan.
Meanwhile, Greece accused Turkey on Thursday of creating tensions and attempting to undermine efforts aimed at improving bilateral relations between the two countries, noting that the talks to be held between the two sides at "lower representation" will be held next week as scheduled.
The spokesman for the Greek government, Demitris Rebas, said Turkey has frequently created tensions and is undermining efforts to improve relations. He held Ankara responsible for the results of all negative political and diplomatic developments.
He added that Greece will respond in a proper manner to those "who threaten the safety of its territories or carry out provocative or aggressive acts against it."
However, the spokesman indicated that talks between officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Greece and Turkey will be held on Monday as scheduled in order to discuss bilateral relations, including tourism, cultural and economic cooperation, adding that the two sides will avoid discussions of issues such as the question of the island of Cyprus or the disputes in the Aegean Sea.
The statements of the Greek spokesman come following the official complaints raised by Greece against Turkey over Turkish warplanes intercepting Greek civilian planes while flying near Rhodes island in the eastern Aegean Sea.