Turkish, Greek FMs engage in unusual Twitter diplomacy over future of bilateral ties

Duvar English

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias have exchanged tweets over the future of their countries’ bilateral relations in an unusual case of diplomacy.

Çavuşoğlu started the exchange by calling onto Dendias “to stop injuring the Greek people's dignity.” Çavuşoğlu also shared a link to the Greek minister's interview with Parapolitika.

“Dear Niko, here’s some friendly advice for the new year,” Çavuşoğlu said. “Stop asking for help from others and injuring the Greek people’s dignity. May 2021 be the year when we settle our differences equitably by talking directly, sincerely, and earnestly,” he added.

Dendias hit back by thanking his counterpart for the wishes and urging Turkey to comply with “three A’s,” which he listed as follows.

“1. Abandon its threats of war against Greece should we exercise our legitimate rights. After all we live in the 21st century. 2. Aspire to become more European. Less Neo-Ottoman. This will best serve the Turkish people. 3. Abstain from provocations and illegal activities,” the Greek FM wrote.

“By the way. There is one thing Mevlut you forgot to mention yet again: it’s International Law. The only basis for a constructive dialogue about our difference, my dear friend. Happy 2021!” Dedias added.

Turkey’s drilling activities in a disputed part of the eastern Mediterranean have raised tensions with Greece and Cyprus over the extent of their continental shelves and hydrocarbon resources.