Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his commitment to opening a “new era” in relations with Greece during his first official visit to Athens since 2017. In meetings with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Erdogan discussed various topics including trade, regional issues, and the contentious issue of migration.
Erdogan emphasized the need for a positive and fruitful relationship between Turkey and Greece, stating that the strategic cooperation meeting between the two countries would lead to a new era in their relations. He also expressed his desire for a “new chapter” in relations based on “win-win” principles.
One of the key issues discussed during the visit was migration. Since a 2016 deal with the European Union, Turkey has played a crucial role in managing migration flows. Greek and EU leaders hope to update this agreement, and discussions on this topic were held between Turkish and Greek diplomats.
Another longstanding issue between the two countries is the territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea. Erdogan has questioned century-old treaties that determine Aegean sovereignty, and Turkish and Greek warplanes often engage in mock dogfights in disputed airspace. The discovery of hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean has further complicated relations, with Turkey angering Greece by signing a controversial maritime zone deal with Libya in 2019.
Relations between Turkey and Greece deteriorated in the past few years, leading to a military buildup by Greece and defensive agreements with France and the United States. However, there have been recent signs of improvement. In February, Greece provided assistance to Turkey after a devastating earthquake, and communication channels between the two countries have been revived.
Both Erdogan and Mitsotakis expressed their willingness to address differences through dialogue and find common ground. Mitsotakis favors settling disputes at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, while Erdogan emphasized the importance of not threatening each other and resolving differences through peaceful means.
The visit also touched upon the Israel-Hamas conflict. Erdogan has shown support for Hamas militants, while Mitsotakis has made a clear distinction between Hamas and the Palestinian people. The two leaders have differing views on the conflict, but discussions were held to address this issue.
Overall, the visit of President Erdogan to Greece marks a significant step towards improving relations between the two countries. Both leaders expressed their commitment to dialogue and finding common ground on various issues. The meetings held during the visit provide an opportunity for Turkey and Greece to address their differences and work towards a more positive and cooperative relationship.