Tomorrow’s visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athens is reported by the Associated Press in its analysis, with the news agency pointing out that the two countries are trying to put their relations on a more constructive path.

During Erdogan’s visit a series of cooperation agreements will be signed between the two countries as part of the “positive agenda”, aimed at overcoming long-standing and often volatile disagreements, the article explains.

After years of tension and the looming risk of military conflict, NATO allies are seeking to rebuild trust and send a timely message of cooperation in the troubled eastern Mediterranean, the news agency writes.

Why are the discussions happening now?

Erdogan and Mitsotakis, both re-elected this year, are both focused on the economy, with Greece on the rise after a decade of financial turmoil and Turkey battling inflation and volatile international investment.

“Of course, we have differences of opinion and there are deep issues that cannot be resolved immediately. But there are chapters that can be solved immediately and can expand the basis for cooperation,” Erdogan said. “We will go to Athens with a win-win approach.”

Also, the improvement of relations with Greece, the article continues, will help Turkey in calming the tense relations with the European Union, as well as other Western allies.

The deal starts with immigration

The restoration of relations with the EU will depend, however, on whether Turkey helps Europe to fight illegal immigration.

Ten members of the Mitsotakis cabinet will attend the bilateral meetings, most of whom are tasked with signing declarations and cooperation agreements with their Turkish counterparts.

At the top of the list is an agreement on migration, the management of which relies on lines of communication between the two countries’ coastguards, which operate in the waters between the Turkish mainland and nearby Greek islands that are favorable routes for illegal migration to the EU .

The issue remains a political priority in Europe as EU elections approach in June with no major asylum reforms finalised. Turkey wants to ease travel restrictions for its citizens in Europe, including those wishing to holiday on the Greek islands, and Athens has promised to help.

Turkey is the number one host country for refugees in the world, with around 4 million.

For one day in Athens

Erdogan has harshly criticized the Israeli government over the war in Gaza, unlike Mitsotakis, who has repeatedly highlighted Greece’s friendship with Israel, the Associated Press reports, as one of the differences between the two leaders.

However, the Turkish president’s trip on Thursday – is expected to last only a few hours and the schedule will be tight. And Greek officials, for their part, have already recognized signs of improved cooperation.

Greek Immigration Minister Dimitris Kairides said late Wednesday that the number of migrants arriving illegally on the Greek islands had dropped by about 60 percent in the past two months thanks in large part to better coordination with Turkey’s coast guard.

“There was a time when the Turkish authorities did not react and let the boats pass. Now the cooperation is much better,” Kairidis told state television.

“This is a working visit by Erdogan and I hope that over time, they will lose their extraordinary character and become just an ordinary exchange between two leaders,” he added.