By Penelope Galliou

Almost six months after their last meeting in Athens last December, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are meeting today at 15.30 in the afternoon in Ankara, trying to pick up the “thread” of bilateral relations from where it was defined by the Declaration of Athens. Relations, which, however, in the intervening period, were characterized by progress but also “setbacks” that make bilateral relations fragile. It may be true that the big picture captures a positive aura, especially in relation to the previous years of tension that characterized Greek-Turkish relations, nevertheless, individual issues arise from time to time, reminding of the timeless electrified atmosphere between the two countries, despite the important steps taken.

Tangible cases, the eve of the summit meeting, Tayyip Erdoğan’s decision to turn the Chora Monastery into a Mosque, or a short time earlier the Turkish disagreement with the creation of marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean. Turkish moves that remind us that despite the important steps of rapprochement that may have been recorded recently between the two countries there will always be “thorns”.

“Obviously, I will ask President Erdogan every issue on which Greece has a different position than that of Turkey,” the prime minister said in interview to the Free Press referring to his trip to Ankara. The change of character of the Monastery of Chora was an old proclamation of Mr. Erdogan. Which, however, unfortunately, is being implemented now. This initiative, indeed, insults one of the most emblematic Byzantine temples and, of course, hurts us all. It also insults the history of Constantinople. Above all, however, it insults a universal monument that belongs to humanity and its culture. Of course, I will also discuss this issue with the Turkish President,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

And regarding marine parks, government sources remind us that the position of the Greek government was clear from the very beginning. “Greece, respecting International Law and especially the Law of the Sea and with a firm basis in its sovereignty and sovereign rights, will proceed with the creation of marine parks on the basis of environmental criteria, according to its planning” they clarify.

Of course, the main Greek-Turkish difference remains the EEZ and the continental shelf, where it is recognized that no progress of any kind is expected as the Greek position of delineating zones based only on International Law and the Law of the Sea is non-negotiable, just like Ankara’s unchanging positions. Under these conditions, after all, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that “we are prescient, but not naive”. Explaining that “although they are formulated in lower tones, Turkey’s positions have not changed. Just as ours were and remain stable. For us, the only outstanding issue with our neighbors is the delineation of the maritime zones in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. That is continental shelf and EEZ based on the Law of the Sea and International Law” he clarified.

A counterweight to the existing Greek-Turkish differences, however, are the small but useful steps for rapprochement and open channels between the two countries, which have been achieved in recent months and already have measurable results. Among them the granting of visas for Turkish citizens to 10 islands of the Eastern Aegean, which is already receiving a great response. At the same time on the field, the consolidation of a positive climate is reflected in the almost zero criminality in the air, while also in the critical issue of immigration, better cooperation with the Turkish authorities in the Immigration Department and an overall reduction in flows, despite the ups and downs, can be seen.

Under these conditions, the dominant goal of the Greek side is to keep the tones low on both sides of the Aegean and to keep communication channels open at the highest level as well, so that relations can move to the next step. “Disagreements obviously remain. The important thing is that they do not lead to crises. The fact that we disagree does not mean that we do not discuss and steps are not taken to create a better climate and invest in the positive agenda,” commented government sources.

With these data, the Greek Prime Minister is moving today to Ankara, where he will cross the threshold of the “Palace” of Tayyip Erdogan, responding to the invitation of the President of Turkey and reciprocating Mr. Erdogan’s visit to Athens last December. It is the prime minister’s first visit to Ankara, as the previous meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan on Turkish soil, in March 2022, took place in Istanbul. A visit during which the two leaders are expected to discuss all issues on the bilateral agenda, attempt to review the progress in bilateral relations and the areas of cooperation that have been agreed, while it is expected to define the schedule of the next contacts in the political dialogue, the positive agenda and confidence building measures.

“First of all, to establish the belief that meetings between the leaders of two neighboring countries should not be considered an exception. But one event I would say is “normal” and, in fact, necessary” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis about his upcoming new meeting with Tayyip Erdoğan and noted “When we disagree with someone, it does not mean that we should not discuss. You will remember that as early as 2020 he had personally proclaimed “stop the provocations, start the discussions”. And, indeed, on this path he came and Turkey, jointly forming a positive acquis” he said, recalling the positive aspects of recent Greek-Turkish relations.

It is recalled that during the meeting of the Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece-Turkey last December in Athens, the two leaders adopted the Declaration of Athens, while 15 Memorandums of Cooperation were signed between the two sides.