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Greek politicians, scholars express concerns over potential impacts of Turkish referendum

Xinhua, April 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Greek politicians and scholars expressed concerns on Monday over the potential impact of the results of Sunday's referendum in neighboring Turkey on Ankara's relations with Greece and the EU.

No official comment has been made by the Greek government so far. However, speaking to Greek national news agency AMNA, government sources stressed that Athens supports "stability and democracy" in the neighboring country.

"We are watching closely and with interest the developments in the neighboring country and the results of the referendum.... We wish for a Turkey that will contribute in the dialogue and the cooperation based on mutual respect," the sources were quoted as saying.

Opposition political parties in Athens expressed concerns that deep divisions within Turkish society may cause frictions in the neighboring country and its relations with Greece and Europe.

Main opposition New Democracy spokesman Yorgos Koumoutsakos stressed in a statement that Greece wants friendly relations with Turkey, while the center-left Democratic Alliance voiced concern over "repercussions in EU-Turkish relations."

"The most difficult test for Erdogan and his strategy now on will be the state of the Turkish economy which is on decline," Sotiris Roussos, associate professor on International Relations and Religion in the Middle East at the the University of Peloponnese commented on social media. Endit