In a sign of improving relations between Greece and Turkey, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced plans to visit the Turkish capital, Ankara, in May. This follows a visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Greece in December 2023.
“There seems to be a genuine willingness on the part of Turkey to address our differences and avoid tensions,” Mitsotakis said in a televised interview.
The two countries, both members of NATO, have a long history of disagreements, including disputes over maritime borders, energy resources, airspace in the Aegean Sea, and the island of Cyprus. However, they have taken steps to improve ties in recent years, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
During Erdogan’s visit to Greece, the leaders agreed to increase trade, maintain open communication channels, pursue military measures to reduce tensions, and work on resolving outstanding issues, particularly those concerning the Aegean Sea.
