Greece’s ambassador to Helsinki said his country is not happy with the continuing cooperation between Finland and Turkey, Yeni Safak has learned.
Georgios Ayfantis, an ambassador to Finland, noted on Tuesday he does not understand why Finland protects its cooperation with Turkey at the UN and Finnish diplomats defend it publicly.
Both Finland and Turkey currently are leaders of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation, which was established in 2009. The group consists of 52 nations and eight organizations.
“My colleagues in Athens and I are shocked by Finland’s statements. Is this Finland’s official position?” his excellence Ayfantis asked.
The Greek diplomat added he has no intentions to interfere in internal Finnish affairs, but he expects clarifications from the colleagues at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. “We are very disappointed with Finland’s position on this issue,” Georgios Ayfantis added.
Greece and Turkey still have mutual maritime boundary claims
Turkey with its the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected maritime boundary claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration in the region. Defending their position, the Turkish diplomats stressed that these excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
Meantime, Turkey has sent several drillships and seismic research vessels in the past weeks to explore for energy on its continental shelf, asserting its rights in the region, as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favour of resolving all outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighbourly relations, talks and discussion of the maritime boundary issue.
