No concessions in the Aegean

These interests, including rights over international waters and air space, security requirements, transportation and natural assets, were non-negotiable, General Ilker Basbug told a seminar staged by the General Staff Department of Military History and Strategic Studies in Istanbul entitled “Regions of Crisis from the Perspective of Turkey, NATO and European Union (EU) and Their Impacts on Turkey’s Security”.
“A lasting peace and stability can only be provided after finding fair and acceptable solutions to all problems,” the General said. “Like all other candidate countries, Turkey has to accept to resolve the Aegean dispute with Greece or submit it to the International Court of Justice.
“According to AGENDA 2000 and Helsinki decisions, the solution to these problems are not pre-conditions for opening accession talks with the European Union. The same documents say that such problems should be resolved before conclusion of full membership negotiations.”