The necessity to deescalate of tension between Greece and Turkey and support stability in the East Mediterranean, in the shadow of the war in the Ukraine, was the joint understanding at the meeting of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey on Sunday, Greek government sources said.
The Turkish president received the Greek prime minister at the presidential residence Vahdettin Mansion, where they met privately over lunch that lasted two hours.
Government sources said the two leaders conversed in a very cordial atmosphere, meeting as allies facing security challenges due to political developments following the war in Ukraine. They agreed on improving communication at all levels.
According to the sources, Mitsotakis agreed to holding a Greece-Turkey confidence-building measures meeting in April, as long as there is no escalation of tension. The Greek and Turkish leaders also agreed to hold the 5th High-Level Cooperation Council in Greece this coming fall.
Mitsotakis and Erdogan each reiterated their set stance on bilateral issues, but despite disagreements both decided to emphasize the positive agenda and their countries’ economic collaboration, the sources said.
A high-level source saw the meeting as a foundation for a better era between the two countries’ relations.
The two leaders also agreed to coordinate action toward the opening of humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, the sources said.
President Erdogan told the Greek prime minister that Ankara helped evacuate a Greek woman from Cherson. In terms of the migration issue, it was noted that each country should fulfill its relevant obligations. – {Greek media]
Finally, some good news, and a great relief (for now). I know people were worried about how Greek-Turkish relations would play out while in the shadow of the war.
I will believe it when I see it.
Nevertheless…if I were in Erdogans shoes, I would have locked away his potential invasion plans for Greece into the lowest drawer and thrown away the key – after witnessing the catastrophic economical consequences of Putins aggression for Russia. Consequences he now would have to expect his country to suffer as well if he takes a wrong step.
And I honestly believe that the resistance of the Greek population would be of a comparable magnitude to the resistance of the Ukrainian people.
On the other hand, if Putins initial plans for Ukraine had been successful, Erdogan might have been very inclined to try it himself with Greece
You cant trust that man at all! He turns with the wind for what benefits him the most. He has no thought about Turkey or its people, only about him self!