1) The Greek Ambassador in Ankara presented to the Turkish Foreign Minister, on 24 February, 1998, the reply of the Greek Government to the Verbal Note of the Turkish Government of 12 February 1998.

2) The Verbal Note of the Turkish Government of 12 February 1998 contained briefly the following views and proposals:

The present tension in the Aegean is likely to lead to an accident or a military confrontation or similar dangerous incidents. This situation is a serious cause of concern for the regional peace. With a view to curbing the tension, Turkey made the following proposals to the Greek side:

• Implementing, without delay, the approaches previously suggested by the US, NATO and the EU (Madrid Declaration, Confidence Building Measures and the meeting of the Wisemen Group) which are all in conformity with international law and international understanding.
• With this aim in mind, jointly identifying the existing problems between the two countries by the representatives of both countries; a high level meeting between the two Foreign Ministries to discuss how to implement the peace and conciliation process proposed by Turkey.

3) Unfortunately, the Greek side rejected totally all realistic and good-willed proposals of Turkey with its Note dated 24 February. Therefore, it has been displayed once more very clearly before the international community that the official Greek foreign policy is to maintain continuance of the tension in the Aegean and to leave her problems with Turkey unresolved.

The world public opinion and major capitals concerned supported the constructive approach offered by Turkey to Greece for the settlement of these disputes. However, the Greek Government could not reciprocate the good will of Turkey and by ignoring this initiative assumed once again an uncompromising position.

4) The Greek Government rejected once again the implemention of the peaceful means of settlement foreseen by international law.

"International law", is reflected in:

• The Article 33 of the UN Charter: ".... the parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice..."
• The Decision of the UN Security Council of 25 August 1976: "... the UN calls upon the Governments of Turkey and Greece to resume direct negotiations over their differences and appeals to them to do everything within their power to ensure that these negotiations will result in mutually acceptable solutions..."
• The approach set forth in the "Agenda 2000" of the EU for settlement of territorial disputes : " the Commission considers that before accession, applicants should make every effort to resolve any outstanding border dispute among themselves or involving third countries. Failing this they should agree that the dispute be referred to the International Court of Justice..."

"International law" is the approach within the framework of the international law Turkey has been proposing to Greece, to other countries concerned and to the world public opinion for months... That is, the international methods of peaceful settlement which have been rejected by Greece...

"International Law" is the understanding reflected in Turkey's proposal to Greece for "negotiation, discussion and conciliation".

Greece stands, so far, as the only country which refuses talks, negotiations and dialogue.

The Greek Government tried to present her own self-distorted legal perception as the international law, deceiving the world public opinion for years.

She introduced only one of the several "peaceful means of settlement" adopted by the UN, the recourse to the ICJ, as if it was the only and absolute method of international law. However the determined initiatives of the Turkish Government in the recent months has demonstrated the reality to all countries concerned. It is now clear to everyone that "international law" is not just ICJ, but recourse to ICJ is just one of the several methods of international law.

Athens has taken off his mask and now the truth is visible.

5) The misleading impression that Greece's unfair attitude created in the international fora, has been losing its effect through Turkey's initiatives. The Greek Government is well-aware of this situation, and therefore, becomes more aggressive. She applies the conventional methods of all the "unjust" resorted throughout history by hiding behind a method of "not negotiating" and "not discussing" vis-a-vis Turkey's proposals and she tries to consolidate her position by evasive approaches and replies such as "if we meet we can discuss". In this way, she unveils herself.

Greece's insistence on her claim that "there is only one problem in the Aegean" is actually trivial, given the fact that the existence of number of problems in the Aegean which have been recognized by all countries in the world, such as the militarization of the Eastern Aegean Islands contrary to the provisions of the international treaties and the 10 NM national airspace claim by Greece.

The Greek Government, in line with her concerns related to domestic politics and her foreign policy assessments, made her choice on the continuity of tension in the Aegean. This is her choice and she must pay for the results of it. This choice of the Greek Government, seeking tension in the Aegean has become tangible since she avoided once again the settlement of these problems.

Through this Government policy favoring tension in the Aegean, Greece, in the face of history, no doubt unilaterally bears responsibility for an undesirable incident and its dangerous consequences in the Aegean.

6) The Turkish foreign policy is traditionally based on peace and good neighborly relations. But, Greece should understand by now that this policy does not mean that we shall indefinately tolerate ill-tempered attitudes against international law and our national interests. Unfortunately, by its Note of 24 February 1998, the Greek side totally rejected the realistic proposals of Turkey which have also received the support of the world public opinion. Therefore, it has been revealed before the international community that the official Greek foreign policy is to maintain the tension continuously in the Aegean and to leave the problems with Turkey unresolved.

7) The Turkish Government will again communicate its policy through a Verbal Note in which the views raised in the Greek reply are examined and responded.

Turkey will continue to stand as the party proposing peace and conciliation, even if Greece maintains her dangerous approach towards the Aegean and its people.