Erdogan and Mitsotakis: A Dialogue of Differences

Erdogan, Mitsotakis underscored importance of dialog in Ankara
Historic differences remain over maritime boundaries, Cyprus

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday as the leaders expressed determination to focus on improving long-strained relations between neighbors on NATO’s southeastern flank.

The meeting signals a desire by the two leaders to build on an easing of tensions late last year, when they agreed to co-operate on tourism and culture. More stumbling blocks have since emerged, such as Turkey’s opposition to plans by Greece to create a marine park in the Aegean Sea, illustrating difficulties in overcoming historical territorial and maritime energy-exploration disputes.

Turkey’s decision last week to open a mosque that was converted from an historic orthodox monastery in Istanbul drew further controversy. Erdogan said it was open for visits with its “new identity” as Mitsotakis expressed disappointment over its conversion. Yet, the leaders reaffirmed commitment to maintain dialog. The NATO allies have long been at loggerheads over thorny issues such as the location of maritime boundaries — important for the determination of gas-drilling rights — as well as the future of the divided island of Cyprus.

“There is no problem with Greece that can’t be solved. It’s a process which needs to be rigorously advanced, our hopes are getting higher every time we meet,” Erdogan told a joint presser with Mitsotakis. “Despite differences of opinion, we keep our channels of dialog open and focus on the positive agenda.”

Disputed Waters

Competing claims over the Eastern Mediterranean

Erdogan has previously said a deal to share hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean is possible, while Turkey could offer to supply energy to Greece from a planned Black Sea nuclear-power plant as a bargaining chip. Like Erdogan, Mitsotakis also said that maintaining dialog was the best way to improve ties.

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“Τoday, as well, we showed that next to our established disagreements we can write a parallel page with our agreements,” Mitsotakis said. “With an eye on the many things that unite us we wish to intensify our bilateral contacts in the next period.”

European Union

Turkey’s interchange with European Union-member Greece comes as Ankara seeks to revive its stalled bid to join the bloc. In April, the European Council, which oversees accession procedures, said the EU has a strategic interest in a stable environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and stressed the particular importance of progress over Cyprus.

Turkey has controlled the northern third of the island since 1974, when the country intervened to protect minority Turkish Cypriots. The Republic of Cyprus, itself an EU member, is run by a Greek Cypriot administration.

“Turkey will never accept an approach that links progress in Turkey-EU relations to the Cyprus issue,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in response to the European Council at the time. “We will review our dialog with the EU on the basis of reciprocity, taking into account the pace, level and scope of the EU’s steps toward Turkey.”

Cyprus underscores the divide between Turkey and Greece.

The self-declared illegally occupied Turkish Cypriot state is recognized only by Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized and joined the EU in 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a plan backed by the United Nations to unite the island.