Turkish president aims to “revive” the communication channel and sign a declaration of bilateral friendship with Greece
The President of Turkey – Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Athens, Greece, today i.e., Thursday, December 7, 2023, along with a delegation of ministers to improve ties between the two countries after years of tension.
He is also expected to meet the Prime Minister of Greece – Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Erdogan will also meet the President of Greece – Katerina Sakellaropoulou. It will be the leaders’ third meeting since July 2023, when they agreed to resume talks at all levels.
Both Greece and Turkey are member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and have been at odds for decades over issues including where their continental shelves start and end, energy resources, overflights of the Aegean Sea, and ethnically split Cyprus.
While they reached the brink of war in the 1990s, they had a tough time over a host of issues comprising energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, defence issues, migration and the acquisition of fighter jets.
However, the relations started improving after Greece sent aid to Turkey following a devastating earthquake in February 2023. Both Erdogan and Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ re-elections this year also eased political pressure and allowed them to put rivalry aside. They now want to give emphasis on a positive agenda that is mutually beneficial.
Speaking on the occasion, Erdogan said, “Whether it’s the issues in the Aegean, joint efforts against irregular migration, ongoing problems of the Turkish minority in Greece, there is no problem that we cannot solve through dialogue based on mutual goodwill.”
Atleast 8 cooperation deals, ranging from increasing bilateral trade to agreeing on a migration accord that would see coastguard officials from both nations establish lines of direct communication, are slated to be signed.
The meetings will produce a joint declaration and agreements in sectors including the economy, health, education, agriculture, migration and tourism. Greece has received permission from the European Union (E.U.) to re-enable Turkish citizens to apply for a 7-day tourist visa for 10 islands close to the Turkish coast. A formal announcement will be made during Erdogan’s visit, as evidence of goodwill.
Turkey has been seeking the E.U. membership for more than two decades. Following a debt crisis that rocked the Eurozone, Greece wants to regain its footing and appear as a pillar of stability in a changing geopolitical landscape due to the war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.
Despite expressions of goodwill, it is believed that there will be little progress on the bilateral ties. Greece has already made it clear that it will only discuss the demarcation of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the continental shelf in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. However, Erdogan has reiterated Turkey’s stance that it will discuss all issues of the dispute is taken to the International Court of Justice.
