The revocation of a Notam by Turkey, which designated an area in the Aegean Sea as an area for military exercises and as a firing range starting Monday and until December 31, was revoked following Greek demarches to the EU, NATO and the UN Secretary General. “The revocation of the Notam, by which Turkey tied up a large area of the Aegean Sea for military exercises until the end of the year,” government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis said on Monday, “proves that effective diplomacy is carried out quietly, decisively and with a plan, without drums rolling.” Criticizing earlier statements by former Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras who called for the convening of the national council of foreign policy, the spokesman said, “Samaras’ hurry to ask for the council’s convening a few hours before Greek diplomacy brought results and the Notam was revoked, exposes him.” Sakellaridis also said that “it is also very impressive that the leader of the main opposition party requested a briefing of the military leadership directly, not of the political one… Somebody who a month ago was prime minister should be more careful with issues of foreign policy.” The diplomatic result came after communication between Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and PM Alexis Tsipras. Initially, the Turkish government responded by removing the area of Limnos island, Greece, and later issued a new Notam revoking it. Diplomatic sources in Athens commented that common sense prevailed and said that by the revocation Turkey contributes constructively to dialogue and good neighbourliness between Greece and Turkey. (source: ana-mpa)
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