Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos said on Wednesday that "in the European environment the logic of the use of violence (Casus Belli) on the part of Turkey constitutes an apparent and unacceptable anachronism, which will intensify as the procedures are moving on of the accession talks." However, the spokesman did not wish to comment on reports that Turkey, following the latest meeting of its National Security Council, did not withdraw the relevant threat.

Reiterating the Greek position on the matter, Koumoutsakos stressed that the 'Casus Belli' "is contrary to the spirit and letter of international law but also of the United Nations Charter." He noted that "the manner with which Greece is confronting Turkey's European prospects was never based on the assessment that practices of decades would be transformed on October 4, 2005" with the start of the accession talks.

"The basic concern of the Greek side is for strong foundations to be laid, terms and lines so that the start of the accession negotiations to mean that we are led to a new environment and gradual change," Koumoutsakos said. The foreign ministry spokesman noted that "in Turkey's Negotiating Framework with the European Union, for the first time terms have been set as preconditions for accession which do not only refer to the fulfillment of the political criteria but also concern its international behavior." Asked to comment on Turkey's decision not to participate, at least not now, in the SE Energy Community Treaty which was signed in Athens on Tuesday, Koumoutsakos stressed that "the fact concerns the European Commission and not particularly Greece" and noted that the relevant minister of the Turkish government was present at the signing ceremony.

Regarding the visit to Washington of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the foreign ministry spokesman stated that the Greek side reserves the right to wait to see the results of the meeting.

"The initiatives and meetings must not be absent when they are in a constructive direction. However, there is no certainty that this meeting will contribute in this direction," he added.

Source: Athens News Agency

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