In recent years, there have been important changes in the world political scene, with old enemies increasingly seeking peace with each other. As a matter of fact, many years ago Atatürk and Venizelos were able to settle the Turkish-Greek differences through an epoch-making historical compromise and to usher in an era of long-term friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Today, we are going through a tense period in our relations with Greece. The latest crisis has demonstrated once again that the present state of Turkish-Greek relations is fraught with dangers. The fundamental interests of both countries lie in peace and cooperation, not confrontation. Türkiye and Greece have to overcome the cycle of conflict into which they have been locked. The failure to settle the existing problems creates an environment conducive to the eruption of new crises. This vicious circle must be broken at some point. The leaders of both countries are faced with a historic responsibility to establish a climate of mutual confidence, to give a new structure to their bilateral relations which would be free of problems, and thus open a brand new chapter in the Turkish-Greek relations. Türkiye is ready and determined to do her utmost in that regard. I believe that the Greek leaders also have the necessary political will to live up to this historic responsibility.

The current problems between the two countries must be taken up with a new and realistic approach, by isolating them from the emotions stemming from history and the chains imposed by short-term, temporary considerations. Our ultimate goal should be to bring comprehensive and lasting solutions to all the differences and problems between the two sides, especially those related to the Aegean Sea. An eventual settlement on the Aegean issues will only be viable and lasting if it is built on the fundamental rights and legitimate interests of both countries. For that reason, we should discuss our differences on the basis of mutual respect and with a willingness to reach a compromise.

Türkiye is a law-abiding country. In keeping with international law, she has always respected the territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders of all her neighbours, including Greece. In a similar vein, Türkiye harbours no intention towards altering the status quo in the Aegean through unilateral steps and to make gains by de facto actions. An essential aspect of Türkiye's position on the Aegean issues is respect for the status quo in the Aegean which was established through international agreements. These are the basic principles defining Türkiye's approach to both her relations with Greece and the matters related to the Aegean. We have the right to expect Greece to display the same understanding and approach. If Greece also adopts these principles, it will be much easier to reach mutually acceptable solutions than is generally thought. In this spirit, Türkiye wants to see all disputes pertaining to the Aegean settled through peaceful means in accordance with international law. She is ready for such a settlement.

I am therefore calling on Greece to enter into negotiations without preconditions with a view to settling all the Aegean questions as a whole.

The search for a comprehensive and lasting solution will be conducted on the basis of respect for international law and the international agreements establishing the status quo in the Aegean. The talks that could be started on an exploratory basis shall not prejudice the respective positions of both sides regarding the substance of the issues.

When it comes to peaceful means of settlement which would be appropriate to the special nature of the Aegean questions, Türkiye does not rule out from the outset any method based on mutual acceptance. We have no prejudices in this respect. Accordingly, we are prepared to discuss with goodwill appropriate third party methods of settlement. The form, conditions and legal requirements of such methods can be taken up in detail in the course of the talks.

The fundamental aim of such a peace process would be to resolve the differences that emerged after the historic compromise brought about by Atatürk and Venizelos. It is, therefore, essential for the two parties to rise to the occasion and take utmost care to avoid the lure of petty political gains and a dangerous opportunism, if the peace process is to succeed.

Concurrently with the initiation of a process of peaceful settlement aimed at bringing a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Aegean disputes, Türkiye is also ready to start talks on the conclusion of a Political Document/Declaration containing the basic principles that will govern the relations between the two countries or an Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation. Such a political framework agreement, in addition to the fundamental principles on which the relations will be based, may also specify the avenues of cooperation as well as the procedures and settlement methods to be applied in case of the emergence of differences.

Likewise, simultaneously with this process, I also propose to start talks in this transitional period with a view to bringing about a swift agreement between the two countries on a comprehensive set of Confidence Building Measures related to military activities.

Once the process of peaceful settlement is thus initiated, the two sides will naturally have to avoid unilateral steps and actions that could increase tension.

I am proposing to Greece to engage in a comprehensive process of peaceful settlement that will not exclude from the beginning any method of settlement including third party arbitration. This will make an immense contribution to the strengthening of peace and stability in our region. Similarly, bringing a comprehensive solution to the Aegean questions will also contribute to the settlement of other questions in Eastern Mediterranean on their own merits and within their own parameters. As our Greek friends frequently say, "actions speak louder than words." I, therefore, propose action, not words.

I sincerely hope that Greece will give due consideration to our call of peaceful settlement based on an international law and legitimacy and will not let this historic opportunity slip away. This process may require a period of reflection and preparation. Whenever they respond to our proposal positively and are ready to engage in such a process, Türkiye will also be ready.

I am sure that our two nations living across each other along the shores of the Aegean do not want tension between them. They do not want mutual enmity. What they do want is peace, friendship and cooperation. I believe that as two nations with deep roots in history, the Turkish and Greek peoples deserve them.

The late President Turgut Özal, in a speech during a 1985 visit to the United States, stressed the need for such a compromise and said that we owed this to the future generations. I believe that we owe this not only to the future generations, but also to the present generation. History never forgives those who shrink from their responsibility.