No one word answer on trusting Erdoğan: Greek PM

Yorgo Kırbaki - ATHENS

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said “there is no one word answer” when he asked whether he trusts Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

During his visit to London on June 28, Tsipras was asked twice whether trusts Erdoğan, who was re-elected president on June 24.

“There is no one word answer. Erdoğan is an important political character with great experience. But he is unpredictable,” Tsipras told Bloomberg Television.

The Greek prime minister complained that Greece is neighbors with Turkey.

“We have a different approach regarding Turkey compared to you, the English. You have neighbors with France and Ireland. We border Turkey. We face so many unpredictable situations,” he said.

Tsipras also said he raised the issue about the two Greek soldiers jailed in Turkey during his latest phone conversation with Erdoğan.

“When I called him to congratulate him on his election victory, I also raised this issue. I always strive for constructive dialogue with good intentions. It is good that despite our differences, we have open communication channels with Erdoğan,” he said.