Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Greece in an attempt to build the strained relationship between the two neighboring NATO allies. Erdogan hopes to establish a "new era" in their relations, which have been characterized by hostility for many years.
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Disputes between Greece and Turkey have been ongoing for decades, centering around various issues such as territorial boundaries, energy resources, flights over the Aegean Sea, and the division of Cyprus along ethnic lines.
In an effort to improve their relations, the two countries have signed a joint declaration, showing their commitment to fostering friendly neighborly ties. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after his meeting with Erdogan, expressed his belief in the historical responsibility they both have to bring their nations together, just as their borders are side by side.
Earlier, Erdogan expressed his belief that the Turkey-Greece strategic cooperation meeting would guide in a new era in their relations. He emphasized the importance of optimism and its potential for future successes. Erdogan highlighted that it would be more beneficial for the future if they approached matters with a positive mindset.
Sakellaropoulou agreed, saying that given the current circumstances, it is essential for Greece and Turkey to collaborate in order to promote prosperity, maintain peace and stability, and uphold respect for international law.
Erdogan also mentioned his aim to increase bilateral trade volume to $10bn from the current $5.5bn.
Furthermore, Greece and the European Union are looking to update their migration deal with Ankara, which was initially established in 2016.
Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis recently highlighted the smooth cooperation between the Greek and Turkish coastguards regarding migration. He further proposed the possibility of an agreement to have a Turkish officer stationed on the Greek island of Lesbos, and a Greek officer stationed at the western Turkish port of Izmir.
During Thursday's discussions, the Israel-Hamas conflict is also expected to be a topic of contention. Turkish President Erdogan has shown unwavering support for Hamas, while Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis has consistently differentiated between Hamas and the Palestinian people.
It is anticipated that the issues that have led Greece and Turkey to the brink of war multiple times in recent decades will not be included in the agenda.
