Turkey Greece leaders meet friendship initiative amid Gaza Ukraine wars

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis visits Turkey to strengthen ties, focusing on trade, energy, and cultural relations after decades of animosity.

Old adversaries Turkey and Greece are set to put their five-month-old friendship initiative to the test as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visits Ankara. Despite years of animosity, a tense border, and disputed waters, the two NATO members agreed to set aside their differences last December. Instead, they are concentrating on trade, energy, cultural ties, and a host of other issues on the so-called positive agenda.

Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday in an effort to strengthen ties following Greek support for Turkey after a devastating earthquake last year. While the two leaders have conflicting views on the Israeli-Hamas conflict, they are both committed to preventing further instability in the eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

Both sides are hopeful to expand the positive agenda and find areas where mutually beneficial solutions can be reached, such as in trade, tourism, and migration. The recent ease in visa requirements for Turkish citizens visiting Greek islands is seen as a step towards closer economic and social ties between the two nations.

Despite past disagreements that have brought Turkey and Greece to the brink of war, both countries are now focused on resolving disputes through dialogue and cooperation. The ongoing conflict over Cyprus and the exploration of energy resources in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas remain contentious issues, but recent talks and meetings between leaders show a willingness to find common ground.

As both countries work towards improving relations, there are still challenges to overcome, such as the recent conversion of a Byzantine-era church in Istanbul into a mosque and Greece's plans to establish marine parks in disputed areas of the Aegean Sea. However, opportunities for collaboration, such as the restoration of historical monuments in both countries, could pave the way for a more positive relationship between Turkey and Greece.

Overall, the visit by Mitsotakis to Ankara marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more cooperative relationship between two nations with a long history of conflict and rivalry. By focusing on common interests and shared goals, Turkey and Greece are working towards a future of peace and prosperity in the region.