Turkey and Greece want to start a "new chapter" in their relations and put an end to years of disputes over trade, territorial and migration issues, which led both countries to an unprecedented escalation of tension. In the words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, this "new chapter" in relations with Greece seeks to find common ground between both countries and smooth out their differences so that "both parties win."
On his first visit to the Greek capital in six years, Erdogan met separately with his counterpart, Katerina Sakellaropoulo; and then with the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with whom he signed a memorandum on "relations of friendship and good neighborliness." In both meetings, the two countries discussed issues that concern both, such as the dispute over Cyprus, border security, the territorial dispute over the exploitation of waters and the rights of minorities.
They also addressed the war situation in Gaza. "Geography and history have dictated that we live in the same neighborhood... Occasionally confronted. But I feel a historical responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity to bring the two states closer, just as our borders are (closely)," he said during the Mitsotakis meeting. For his part, Erdogan stated before the meeting that, as neighboring countries, they must respect each other's "vital rights and interests." "Kyriakos, my friend, unless you threaten us, we do not threaten you. Let us strengthen trust between the two countries," said the Turkish president. In recent months, Turkey has attempted to recalibrate its diplomatic relations with countries in the region after years of tensions and disputes that have affected not only its bilateral ties, but also its economy.
Tension with Athens reached the point that Erdogan hinted that Turkish-made missiles could reach Athens "if calm is not maintained." In the last decade, relations between Athens and Ankara deteriorated following the migration agreement between Turkey and the EU, in which the Eurasian country committed to hosting refugees from Syria and Brussels to relocate them.
Ankara has accused Greece on multiple occasions of carrying out pushbacks to Turkish territory and tension between the two countries worsened in early 2020, when Erdogan opened its border with Greece and invited migrants and refugees to cross into the neighboring country. . The discovery of hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean added another dispute between neighbors over the limits of territorial waters. Ankara signed a maritime zone agreement with Libya, while Athens did the same with Italy and Egypt. Turkey accused Greece of "occupying" and arming Aegean islands, while Athens announced a budget increase in military and air defense, with both countries regularly carrying out military maneuvers in border waters.
Tensions began to ease earlier this year, when Greece reached out to Turkey after the terrible earthquakes that devastated the country's southeast, killing more than 50,000 people. After this diplomatic exchange, both leaders showed signs of improving relations, which continued after their victories in their respective presidential elections.
The memorandum signed this Thursday by both leaders does not directly affect any of the differences between both countries, but marks the rapprochement that will precede these discussions. The document "underlines", "recognizes" and "seeks to renew the will for cooperation between the governments of the two countries" and highlights the "potential and dynamism" that this path could contribute to the regional level.
Although on paper, Turkey and Greece have signed a mere declaration of intent, both leaders discussed the first steps to follow. Mitsotakis signaled his intention to provide Turkish citizens with visas to visit the Greek islands, a "measure that brings the two peoples closer together," said Dimitris Kairidis, Greek Migration Minister. Kairidis noted this week that the coast guards of both countries have increased their cooperation on migration and do not rule out sending a Turkish officer to the Greek island of Lesbos and another Greek officer to the Turkish port of Izmir to reduce the flow of crossings.
