Greece Downplays Exploratory Talks; S&P to Publish Economy Review

LOCAL NEWS

• Greek Foreign Ministry says exploratory talks are not negotiations, but contacts where no obligations or commitments are made between the two parties.
  • No minutes are kept or third parties involved and no briefings are made on the content of the talks.
  • Says the aim is to explore points of convergence for possible future negotiations for the delimitation of the EEZ and continental shelf in the Aegean & East Med - Ahval
• S&P expected to publish its report on the Turkey economy after markets close, while ForeignMin Cavusoglu continues his talks in Brussels today - meeting Stoltenberg & Charles Michel
• EU members call for release of prominent political prisoners in Turkey - including Selahattin Demitras, Osman Kavala & Cihan Erdal as part of the "concrete" show of cooperation with the EU
• At least 3 deputies from the main opposition CHP (Al Celebi, Avni Aksoy and one more unnamed) are considering leaving the party as they have become frustrated with its direction. Some see a possibility of a move to the HDP