During a joint media appearance with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed optimism, stating, “There is no problem that cannot be solved between us,” and expressing a desire to transform “the Aegean into a sea of peace and cooperation.”
This visit marked Erdoğan’s first to Athens since 2017, following a period of strained relations characterized by disputes over migration, energy exploration in the Aegean, and territorial sovereignty. The Turkish president had previously questioned century-old treaties defining Aegean sovereignty, and both Turkish and Greek warplanes engaged in simulated dogfights in contested airspace.
Complicating matters further, the discovery of hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean heightened tensions. In 2019, Ankara’s signing of a controversial maritime zone agreement with Libya drew ire from Athens.
Last year, Erdoğan accused Greece of “occupying” Aegean islands and issued a veiled threat, stating, “As we say, we may come suddenly one night.” In response, Mitsotakis announced a military buildup in naval and air force equipment and forged defensive agreements with France and the United States.
Despite the historical tensions, relations have seen improvement since February, when Greece provided assistance to Turkey, sending rescuers and aid following two devastating earthquakes that claimed at least 50,000 lives.
During Thursday’s talks, Mitsotakis acknowledged the past threats to the relationship, stating that they had been “dangerously threatened” in previous years but were now on a “calmer path.” The resumption of high-level talks reflects a joint commitment to addressing differences and fostering a more cooperative relationship between the neighboring nations.
