Greek and Turkish Leaders Meet, Pledge Increased Cooperation Despite Differences

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara on Monday, aiming to establish a more positive and productive relationship between the two nations.

This was their fourth meeting in the past ten months, underlining a commitment to ongoing dialogue despite historical tensions and disagreements. Mitsotakis highlighted this as a positive development, especially considering the current global instability.

Tangible Results and Continued Collaboration:

The leaders pointed to concrete benefits arising from their ongoing talks. One example is the newly established Greece-Türkiye Business Council, which aims to boost trade between the two countries. Additionally, a visa initiative allows Turkish citizens to travel more easily to ten Greek islands.

Collaboration on migration issues was also discussed. Both countries are impacted by irregular migration flows, and Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration. He also affirmed Greece's support for EU funding allocated to Türkiye for migration management.

Minority Rights and Cultural Heritage:

Mitsotakis raised concerns about the Greek Muslim minority in Thrace, emphasizing the importance of upholding their rights as defined by the Lausanne Treaty. He stressed that the treaty emphasizes the religious definition of minorities, and their well-being should be ensured through equality, fair treatment, and specific measures.

He lamented the recent conversion of the Chora Monastery in Istanbul into a mosque and expressed hope that its unique cultural value would be preserved and remain accessible to all.

Foreign Policy and Regional Stability:

The leaders acknowledged differing perspectives on some foreign policy issues, particularly regarding the Middle East crisis. Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece's support for Israel's right to self-defence, while both leaders stressed the need for a ceasefire, civilian protection in Gaza, and the release of hostages. They agreed a ground invasion would be a grave mistake and instead emphasized the importance of a political process and a two-state solution.

Regarding the unresolved Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis emphasized dialogue as the key to progress, offering support to the UN Secretary-General's special envoy. He reiterated Greece's continued backing for EU membership for Türkiye, provided the country adheres to European Union regulations.

Looking Ahead:

Both leaders expressed a desire to maintain positive momentum in bilateral relations. They plan to meet again at the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington and the UN General Assembly in New York, alongside a scheduled Greece-Türkiye High-Level Cooperation Council meeting later this year.

Despite remaining disagreements, particularly regarding the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, both Mitsotakis and Erdogan agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire and civilian protection in Palestine. The meeting highlighted their commitment to maintaining open communication channels and focusing on a collaborative agenda.

Greece-Turkiye High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) will take place in Ankara around the end of the year. It was also agreed that Greek-Turkish meetings be repeated, as agreed at Vilnius, on the basis of three axes: political dialog, positive agenda, and Confidence Building Measures.