Statement On Confidence Building Measures Unofficial Translation June 4,1998 Agreement Reached by Turkey and Greece Regarding the Confidence-Building Measures in the Aegean June 5, 1998 The Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Countries of South Eastern Europe Opening Statement by Mr. İsmail Cem, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey 8-9 June, 1998 Declaration on the Situation in Kosovo June 9, 1998 Final Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South East European Countries Chairman´s Summary on the Situation in Kosovo June 9,1998 Final Meeting of the Ministers of; Foreign Affairs of South East European Countries İstanbul Declaration On Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in South Eastern European Countries 09 June 1998 Statement By The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Turkey Concerning UN Security Council Resolutions No:1178 And 1179 (1998) June 30, 1998
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Agreement Reached by Turkey and Greece Regarding the Confidence-Building Measures in the Aegean June 5, 1998

NATO Secretary General Solana has declared on 4 June 1998 that Turkey and Greece have reached an agreement that the 1988 Memoranda of Understanding regarding the Confidence Building Measures in the Aegean are to be fully implemented. Thus, a step has been taken towards the reduction of tension and confrontation in the Aegean.

This achievement stems from the planned efforts of the Government of Turkey regarding the solution of the Aegean problems.

As it would be recalled, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. İsmail Cem, invited the Ambassador of Greece on 12 February 1998 and presented him a series of comprehensive proposals aimed at solving the problems between the two countries. The proposals initiated by H.E. Cem contain the following elements:

  • Jointly identifying all the Aegean problems between the two countries,
  • Formalizing the "Madrid Declaration" of 8 July, 1997, which was agreed upon by Turkey and Greece,
  • Developing and mutually implementing the "Confidence Building Measures in the Aegean" with the collaboration of the NATO Secretary General,
  • Jointly initiating the Personalities Group process,
  • Convening a high level meeting between the two Foreign Ministries.

One of these proposals has been accepted by Greece with the statement made by the NATO Secretary General. It is now time for the realization of the remaining four proposals.

Among these four proposals, it is thought that the formalization of the Madrid Declaration has a priority. It is a political committment accepted by the President of the Republic of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece. Should Madrid Declaration be transformed to a legally binding document, the sound base will be constituted for the solution of the problems between Turkey and Greece and the elimination of a possibility of confrontation in the Aegean.

Having committed herself to the full implementation of the Confidence Building Measures by giving positive reply to our call, the Government of Greece should take constructive steps in this respect which would be important both for the regional stability and the future of our bilateral relations.