Αποφάσεις - Ανακοινώσεις — ΦΕΚ A' 216/2023

BILATERAL TRADE Both sides exchanged information on bilateral trade statistics and developments and evaluated the overall picture of bilateral trade. They expressed their satisfaction for the increase and recovery of trade volume in 2021. Both sides declared their intention to further increase trade in a balanced way. According to the data of the Ministry of Trade of Türkiye, the bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Greece increased by 69,2% in 2021 compared to the previous year. The total volume was 3,12 billion dollars in 2020, and in 2021 the volume reached 5,28 billion dollars. According to the data provided by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the bilateral trade volume between Greece and Türkiye has recorded a significant increase of 55,48 % for the period January-November 2021, compared to the same period of the year Both sides agreed to explore and implement necessary measures for increasing and diversifying their bilateral trade, to exert every possible effort towards promoting economic relations in a mutually beneficial way and to ensure that bilateral trade is based on the principles of fair competition and equal opportunities. Both sides underlined the need for a continued encouragement of the business communities of both countries, which hold a longstanding relationship, to intensify their contacts, with the aim of engaging in joint business and investment activities as well as in market research and analysis of each other’s comparative advantages.

COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INVESTMENTS / PROMOTION OF INVESTMENTS Both sides, noting the potential of their respective economies, agreed to: x Encourage companies to engage in joint investment initiatives, in Greece and Türkiye. x Ensure the smooth operation of existing investments in all sectors in both countries and called for the further enhancement of investment within the framework of the Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments. Both sides underlined the fruitful cooperation between Enterprise Greece SA and the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (the Investment Office), noting the common initiatives undertaken by the two Agencies. The two Agencies are committed to exploring joint investment attraction and to encourage cooperation for the sake of promoting common business opportunities, synergies and actions. In this context, the two Agencies will seek cooperation in supporting investment projects in key areas of mutual interest such as: Tourism, Real Estate, Manufacturing, ICT, Energy and Food & Beverage. The negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two aforementioned Agencies have been concluded and the MoU will be signed in due time.

ECONOMIC RELATIONS 3.1 Energy The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to energy supply security and confirmed their willingness to continue collaborating on this subject, especially in the gas and electricity sectors. The Turkish Side expressed the readiness of BOTAù Petroleum Pipeline Corporation to transfer its expertise and technology in the field of pipeline security and SCADA. - Electricity Interconnection the Turkish Power System with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area. The Parties expressed their appreciation regarding ongoing electricity energy trade via existing interconnection line and emphasized their willingness to examine the development of new interconnection line projects. 3.2 Environment The two sides noted the importance of cooperation in the field of environmental protection in the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Türkiye and its further development. Waste The two sides, acknowledging the challenge of solid waste management, in particular municipal waste management, can exchange national experiences and best practices for the proper environmental management of waste, towards circular economy approaches, respecting the waste hierarchy and promoting recycling, reuse and recovery. The Turkish side expressed that Türkiye has been carrying out an extensive environmental protection and zero waste programme under the auspices of the First Lady, H.E. Emine ERDOGAN and stated that it is ready to share the gains made in this field. The two sides stated their readiness to share national experiences and best practices as well as technical know-how on the various techniques and approaches for the treatment of urban wastewater. 3.3. Water The two sides expressed their readiness to exchange information and experiences: - for preventing and addressing groundwater and surface and marine water pollution, including on the monitoring of water quality and quantity. - to approach the conservation and sustainable use of land, areas habitats and species facing particular threats. Both sides agreed to discuss cooperation opportunities on:

Implementation of joint activities in accordance with the principles of EU Directives related to water, as soon as possible organized), taking into consideration of existing transboundary water cooperation among riparian countries in view of achieving the requirements of EU legislation, in areas such as: • Development of river basin management plans, aiming at the preparation of common RBMPs • Development of flood risk management plans aiming at the preparation of common FRMPs. • Development of drought management plans, aiming of the preparation of common drought management plans • Sharing of experience and knowledge, cooperation and capacity building (through sharing technology and experience, seminars, meetings and training programs to be organized), • Monitoring and assessment of water quality • Impacts of climate change on water resources • Effective and efficient use of water, reuse and treatment of wastewater. 3.4 Forestry Taking into account that the Eastern Mediterranean region is highly vulnerable to climate change, the two countries can cooperate on issues related to the adaptation to climate change impacts, including through the exchange of information, inter alia, based on related monitoring, observation mechanisms and indicators, of best practices and of know-how, with emphasis on forest fires prevention. Both sides will cooperate on issues such as web based forest fire information systems, and GIS (Geographic Information System) application in the forestry activities. The two sides may share national experiences and best practices as well as technical know-how on the various techniques and approaches for: x Rehabilitation of burnt areas and degraded forest areas, soil conservation x Combating forest fires and sharing knowledge and experience x Preventing forest pests and diseases. 3.5 Cooperation in the field of Transport - Combined and Rail Transport The Greek side underlined that the main priority remains reaching a mutual agreement on the draft MoU between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Both sides agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. The Turkish side stressed the importance of signing a new “Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the Government of the Hellenic Republic on Railway Transportation”, in order to promote the railway transportation between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Türkiye. The Greek side stressed that for the conclusion of this Agreement, the prior conclusion of agreements on customs, police and phytȠsanitary controls between the two countries is required. -Road Transport Both sides reiterated their appreciation for the constructive cooperation in the field of international road transport. The Joint Committee on Road Transport was convened on November 25-26, 2021, via teleconference. The Greek side, following a request by the Turkish side and aiming at facilitating international transport and trade, agreed to increase the existing annual quota of bilateral and transit permits as follows: x From 10,000 bilateral permits, free of charge, to 13,000 bilateral permits. x From 10,000 bilateral permits, with charge, to 13,000 bilateral permits. x The existing quota of 35,000 transit permits with charge to be modified to 20,000 permits with charge and 20,000 permits free of charge. The Greek side stated that the 11,000 additional permits given to the Turkish haulers in the year 2021 will not be deducted from the quota of the permits allocated for the year 2022. - Construction of the 2nd Border Bridge of Kipoi-Ipsala Both sides welcomed the 5th Session of the Joint Planning and Monitoring Project Committee for the construction of a second border crossing road bridge in the area of Kipoi- Ipsala border crossing, which took place, in Thessaloniki on June 28 -29, 2021. The Greek side informed that the announcement for an international tender has been made by the responsible company “Egnatia Odos SA”, on September 28, 2021. The Turkish side welcomed this development. - Maritime Transport Both sides agreed that maritime transport remains a privileged facet of bilateral cooperation, based on the solid institutional framework between Greece and Türkiye and the ongoing fruitful cooperation within international organizations upon shipping policy issues of mutual maritime interest. aspirations of both countries to pursue economic growth through maritime activities and prosperity for their coastal communities and their people in general. Both sides reaffirmed the high added value of structured dialogue and the intention to further strengthen their bilateral maritime cooperation. In this framework, both sides noted the successful outcome of the 5th meeting of the Joint Greek-Turkish Maritime Cooperation Group, held via teleconference on August 31, 2021, which addressed issues of mutual interest in the field of shipping, focusing on bilateral cooperation, maritime education and marine tourism. The Parties agreed to show their strong will to review and appropriately address restrictions which have been going on for almost 2 years, and have a negative impact on the sea tourism and carriage of passengers between the ports of the Parties. The Parties also stated that ferry transportation between the ports of the Parties shall be reopened, as soon as possible. The Parties stated that cooperation in (a) creation and implementation of modern technologies for shipbuilding, yacht construction, ship repair and maintenance, ship recycling and dredging, (b) modernisation/construction of shipyards (docks) in Türkiye and Greece, (c) training on technical personnel concerning shipbuilding, yacht construction, ship repair and maintenance, ship recycling, and dredging can be strengthened. -Air Transport Both sides noted that the Aeronautical Authorities of the Hellenic Republic positively responded to the recent proposal of the Aeronautical Authorities of the Republic of Türkiye to discuss air transport issues, in the framework of the positive Agenda, in order to update the constitutional aviation framework and upgrade existing rights, thus creating new opportunities for air carriers of both sides to compete on fair and equal basis. The two competent authorities committed to arrange, at the soonest, the cancelled air services consultations meeting, which had been scheduled during ICAN 2021. In this context, the Draft Air Services Agreement proposed by the Greek side is still being discussed and examined by the Turkish side for the preparation of consultations. In this respect, the Draft Air Services Agreement proposed by the Greek side is still being discussed and examined by the Turkish side with the view to prepare the consultations. 3.6 Cooperation in the field of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises deriving from such a cooperation and recognizing the significant role of SMEs for economic development, job creation and social cohesion. In this regard, the two sides agreed to explore fields of mutual interest, where cooperation could be promoted, through the signing of a new bilateral MoU, between the respective National Authorities. 3.7 Agriculture The two sides reviewed the current state of cooperation in the field of agriculture and expressed their mutual interest in enhancing cooperation in this sector. Both sides agreed to discuss the trade of bovine/bovine meat at technical level by the competent authorities of the two countries as a matter of emergency. Both sides underlined the need to protect fish stocks in Eastern Mediterranean following the requirements of relevant international organizations and reiterated their obligation to enforce the relevant legislation, including EU law. The two sides agreed to cooperate as follows: • Enhancing and diversifying trade of agricultural products between the two countries and enhancing cooperation opportunities. • Doing research and development projects in the field of fisheries in the context of international organizations and in accordance with international and EU law. • Conducting joint research projects on field crops, horticultural crops, water, fertilizer, food and feed. • Exchange of information and experience in plant health, animal health, soil, agricultural mechanization. • Exchange of information and experience on the effects of climate change in agriculture and also climate-friendly agricultural practices, agricultural irrigation, necessary precautions and awareness about agricultural drought, and prevention of water and soil pollution. 3.8 Cooperation in the field of Customs Administration Both sides expressed their satisfaction for the outcome of the 9th Meeting between the Heads of Customs Administrations of Greece and Türkiye, which took place in Istanbul, on October 1, 2021. Both sides decided to conduct a technical meeting during the first trimester of 2022, aiming at the implementation of the Action Plan on the efficient cooperation and mutual assistance between the Customs Authorities of Greece and Türkiye. to the relevant Turkish request. 3.9 Tourism Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the progress achieved in their bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, during the 4th Session of the Greek -Turkish Joint Tourism Committee that took place on November 18, 2021 and the 9th Greek-Turkish Forum on Tourism held in Izmir, which took place on November 17, 2021, at Ministerial level, with the participation of representatives from the private sector and Academia. Both sides reiterated their commitment to explore ways to enhance their cooperation, with the aim to increase the tourist flows between the countries, to increase the cooperation between the public and private tourism sectors of Greece and Türkiye and to promote an active dialogue, containing the exchange of know-how and best practices in areas of mutual interest, with a focus on travel protocols, certification labels for tourism accommodation establishments during the pandemic and the digital future of the tourism industry. With a view to intensifying the tourist flows between their respective countries, both sides will explore the possibilities of cooperation on improving the existing air and ferry lines connections and infrastructure between the two countries as soon as possible