ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is making a visit to Turkey this Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to sustain dialogue amid rising tensions between the two neighboring countries. This diplomatic visit occurs against a backdrop of longstanding rivalries and disputes that have characterized Greek-Turkish relations for decades.
Mitsotakis is expected to be accompanied by a delegation of senior ministers during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The discussions will take place during the *High-Level Cooperation Council*, a fence-mending initiative aimed at improving ties between the two NATO allies. This meeting is seen as a critical step toward establishing a more constructive dialogue, particularly given the complexities surrounding their relationship.
The geopolitical landscape between Greece and Turkey remains fraught with tension, primarily concerning maritime boundaries, the status of Cyprus, and drilling rights in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Recently, Turkey has expressed concerns over the increasing defense and energy cooperation among Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, an alliance that Ankara feels effectively sidelines its influence in the region. This chain of events reflects a broader strategy perceived by some as aimed at countering Turkey's regional prominence.
Throughout their history, Greece and Turkey have come dangerously close to conflict on numerous occasions, with several instances particularly notable in the last fifty years. A significant confrontation occurred in 2020, where disputes over energy exploration rights saw warships from both nations facing off in the Mediterranean. Such incidents highlight the fragility of their relations.
In the lead-up to Mitsotakis's visit, Greek officials have reiterated their right to extend territorial waters in the Aegean from the current six nautical miles to twelve. This proposed extension has been met with staunch opposition from Turkey, which, by parliamentary resolution in 1995, termed such a move a "cause of war." Turkey argues that if Greece were to expand its territorial waters, it would severely limit Turkey's maritime access and infringe upon its rights.
The high-level talks scheduled in Ankara are expected to revolve around a so-called "positive agenda," focusing on collaboration in key areas including trade, energy, education, and cultural exchanges. However, no significant progress is anticipated regarding the contentious issues that continually provoke disputes between the two nations.
Moreover, both countries are entrenched in a longstanding dispute concerning Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 along ethnic lines, separating the Greek and Turkish populations on the island. For the past seven years, Turkey has consistently rejected a proposed reunification of Cyprus under a federal system, advocating instead for a controversial two-state solution that only Turkey recognizes alongside the Turkish Cypriot administration.
As Mitsotakis's visit unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments from this strategic meeting, hoping for advancements in dialogue and a potential reduction in hostilities between Greece and Turkey.
