Erdoğan and Mitsotakis stress dialogue despite ongoing disputes

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in Ankara, delivering messages of cooperation and signing a series of agreements despite acknowledging that deep-rooted disputes over the Aegean and East Mediterranean remain unresolved.

The meeting, part of the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council, highlighted a mutual desire to maintain open channels of dialogue and focus on "positive agenda" items such as trade, tourism, and disaster management. While no breakthroughs were made on territorial issues, both leaders emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence.

Agreements on trade and technology

Following the bilateral talks, ministers from both countries signed several memorandums of understanding. These agreements cover cooperation in promoting mutual investments, scientific and technological collaboration between the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Greek Ministry of Development, and cultural exchanges.

A significant outcome was the agreement to promote a ferry line between İzmir and Thessaloniki. Additionally, the leaders agreed to strengthen coordination within the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and to implement joint actions regarding earthquake preparedness.

President Erdoğan announced that the two nations are working towards increasing their bilateral trade volume, which reached approximately $7 billion last year, to a target of $10 billion.

"Problems are complex but not insoluble"

During the joint press conference, President Erdoğan addressed the long-standing disagreements between the two NATO allies. "Although the issues are complex, they are not insoluble based on international law. I saw that we are on the same page with my friend Kyriakos," Erdoğan stated.

Erdoğan also raised the issue of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, stating that he shared his expectations with Mitsotakis regarding the minority's full access to religious freedoms and educational opportunities.

On regional security, Erdoğan noted that Turkey's involvement in European defense initiatives would benefit both nations. He also touched upon the conflict in Gaza, reiterating Ankara's rejection of Israel's recent moves in the West Bank and emphasizing that Turkey's constructive role is vital for the security of Greece and Europe.

Mitsotakis: "Fate has made us neighbors"

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis thanked Erdoğan for the warm reception and emphasized the geographical destiny of the two nations.

"Fate has determined us as residents of the same neighborhood; we cannot change this geography, but we can form an alliance," Mitsotakis said.

The Greek leader acknowledged that differences remain regarding the delimitation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Aegean, noting that recourse to an international judicial body remains an option.

Highlighting the success of the visa-on-arrival program for Turkish citizens visiting Greek islands, Mitsotakis noted that hundreds of thousands have benefited from the scheme, bringing the two peoples closer. He confirmed that Athens intends to continue this program.

Regarding minority rights, Mitsotakis stated that Greece adheres to the Treaty of Lausanne, asserting that Muslim Greeks in Thrace live in harmony with Christians and are equal before the law.

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