They are expected to discuss bilateral, international, and the effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The visit of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitchells to Turkey has been inaugurated. He will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. This rare meeting is between two neighbors who have been at odds for years over issues such as maritime and energy, migration, and the status Aegean Islands.
On Sunday, the Greek prime minister began his trip to Istanbul by attending an Orthodox Christian service at EcumenicalPatriarchate in Constantinople.
According to the Turkish presidency’s communications directorate, both leaders will discuss bilateral and international relations and the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ankara is seeking to strengthen its position as a regional power player by mediating the conflict’s Sunday meeting.
The first talks between Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, and Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, occurred in Antalya on Thursday.
They were unable to reach an agreement.
Erdogan will now meet Mitsotakis, as Erdogan is aware that the conflict in Ukraine is more important than the tensions between Athens & Ankara.
This week, the Greek government’s spokesperson stated that Mitsotakis had planned to visit the Istanbul-based EcumenicalPatriarch Bartholomew and was invited to lunch at Erdogan’s presidential mansion on Bosphorus.
Greek-Turkey ties
Although nominal NATO allies, Turkey and Greece have had tensions over maritime boundary claims, which could affect the rights of eastern Mediterranean energy exploration.
Tensions flared over exploration drilling rights in areas of the Mediterranean where Greece or Cyprus claim exclusive economic zones. This led to a naval standoff.
Turkey claims that Greece violates international agreements by militarizing the Aegean Islands.
The Greek military has been modernized since then.
After a five-year pause, officials from both countries resumed exploratory negotiations in 2021. However, they have not made any progress.
Greece has accused Turkey of allowing asylum seekers and refugees to cross its land and sea borders, despite an agreement with the European Union to stop irregular crossings. Rights groups and Turkey have also documented the “pushbacks” to Turkey by Greek authorities.
The two countries also collaborate on energy projects. This includes a new pipeline that links their countries and transports natural gas from Azerbaijan. It is part of Europe’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy exports.
