Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Arrives in Athens to Boost Ties with Greece

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, arrived in Athens on Friday for crucial meetings with his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, as part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions between the two neighbouring NATO members.

The discussions aim to build on a diplomatic initiative launched last year to improve relations and address longstanding issues between the two regional rivals.

Greece and Turkey have been at odds for decades over various issues, notably volatile maritime boundary disputes that have brought the nations to the brink of war on more than one occasion. However, in recent months, both countries have been working towards mending ties, with Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis highlighting progress in fostering trust between the two sides. "Step by step, we have achieved a level of trust so that we can discuss issues with sincerity and prevent crises," he told Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper in an interview published Thursday.

This meeting follows a series of high-level discussions between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, part of an initiative that began in 2023 aimed at stabilising relations.

In addition to addressing bilateral issues, officials in Athens are expected to raise concerns about rising illegal migration, with Greece witnessing a surge in arrivals. Despite differences over issues such as Israel and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, both ministers are anticipated to explore avenues for enhancing regional stability.

The talks in Athens are seen as setting the stage for a high-level Greece-Turkey cooperation council, which is scheduled to take place in early 2025 in Ankara.