Greece and Turkey have made significant strides in improving their bilateral relations as they seek to put years of tensions behind them. The NATO allies, who have long been at odds over issues such as maritime borders and the status of Cyprus, have expressed a mutual desire to turn the page and focus on cooperation in tourism and culture.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference, during which Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of pursuing a more peaceful path. He announced plans to visit Turkey next spring, marking a step forward in increasing contacts between the two nations. Erdogan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of resolving disagreements between neighboring countries and expressed a willingness to find solutions.
The leaders are committed to repairing the rift that almost led to military conflict three years ago, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean where ongoing disputes pose a threat to regional stability. As part of their efforts, Mitsotakis and Erdogan have decided to revive the High-Level Cooperation Council, which will involve regular ministerial meetings. The council, which began in 2010 but has been inactive since 2016, aims to foster closer ties and enhance cooperation.
Both leaders have set a target for bilateral trade to reach €10 billion ($10.8 billion) within five years. To solidify their commitment to maintaining harmonious relations, Greece and Turkey signed a friendship declaration, which though not legally binding, holds significant political weight. The declaration includes a pledge to refrain from making statements or taking actions that deviate from its framework.
Furthermore, to boost tourism and strengthen economic ties, Greece announced a decision to simplify the process for Turkish citizens to visit some of the Aegean islands using a temporary visa. This initiative revives an earlier procedure and is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism sector in Greek islands, while promoting closer cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, the export credit agencies of Greece and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding, signaling their intention to cooperate on guarantees and reinsurance for firms from both countries operating abroad. This collaboration is expected to foster stronger economic ties and support businesses in expanding their international operations.
One of the longstanding issues between Greece and Turkey is the dispute surrounding Cyprus. The island has been effectively partitioned since 1963 and fully divided since 1974 when Turkey intervened following a coup by pro-Greek forces. While Greece and Cyprus support a United Nations position for reunification based on a bi-zonal federation, Turkey favors a two-state solution.
The Cyprus issue carries significant weight, particularly as energy security concerns arise in the region due to Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Resolution of the dispute would pave the way for the export of oil and gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Turkish markets and Europe via a pipeline from the island.
Another contentious matter between Greece and Turkey is their maritime borders. Greece emphasizes the application of international law of the sea and is prepared to take the issue to international courts if necessary. The disagreement previously brought the two NATO member states to the brink of military confrontation in 2020.
Mitsotakis outlined the possibility of approaching the delimitation of a continental shelf and exclusive economic zone in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean as the next phase of political dialogue. However, he emphasized that this should be pursued when conditions are ripe for constructive engagement.
Greece and Turkey's efforts to improve relations are a positive development for both countries and the wider region. The commitments made during this visit and the re-establishment of the High-Level Cooperation Council indicate a genuine desire for constructive engagement and a willingness to address long-standing issues. Moving forward, continued dialogue and cooperation will be crucial in maintaining stable and peaceful relations between the two neighbors.