FM sees ‘historic opportunity’ for solution to Cyprus issue

Greece is ready to start talks with Turkey to resolve a long-standing dispute over maritime borders that has repeatedly brought the two neighbors to the brink of armed conflict, newly appointed Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has said.

Gerapetritis said the government wants to "take advantage of the ongoing positive climate" in order to come to an agreement on delineating the areas in which each country has exclusive economic rights, including the right to search for offshore oil and gas.

"the moments we are living in are indeed historic. The situation is quite difficult, regionally and internationally, the challenges are very big. We should, in the framework of our common understanding and understanding of the way in which our interests should be promoted, ensure that the Cyprus issue receives the just, sustainable solution that we all desire," he said .