Turkiye, Greece aim to bolster relations

ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday underscored the significance of maintaining the recent positive trajectory in bilateral relations, despite long-standing disputes.

In a joint news conference in Ankara, Erdogan emphasized the importance of dialogue by declaring, "Despite the differences, we focus on the positive agenda by keeping our dialogue channels open."

The Turkish president said the two sides held a constructive dialogue, addressing issues in Turkiye-Greece relations, and agreed to aim for a bilateral trade volume of $10 billion.

Erdogan expressed hope that the improved relations would positively impact the rights of the Turkish minority in Greece. He also stressed the necessity of a "fair and permanent solution" to the Cyprus issue, based on the island's realities, to enhance regional stability and peace.

However, regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, Erdogan diverged from Mitsotakis, stating, "I do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas is a resistance group that protects its lands."

Mitsotakis acknowledged the ongoing development of bilateral cooperation, stating mutual understanding and relations between the two sides are evolving positively. He also reaffirmed Greece's support for Turkiye's European Union accession process.

Mitsotakis noted a divergence in perspectives on the Gaza issue. "We know that Turkiye accepts Hamas, which we consider a terrorist group, in a different way," he said, noting that Greece also agrees that civilians must be protected.

Erdogan visited Athens last December and the two countries signed the "Declaration of Athens" aimed at setting the base for a road map to rebooting relations.

They agreed to boost trade, keep communication channels open, carry out military confidence-building measures to reduce tensions and work on problems that have kept them apart.

On Sunday, Mitsotakis told Turkish daily Milliyet that his visit to Ankara — the first in five years — was an opportunity to evaluate progress and to reiterate Athens' commitment to improving ties.

Erdogan, speaking to the Greek daily Kathimerini on Sunday, said the main goal was to "raise the level of our bilateral relations to unprecedented heights", adding the neighbors had many issues they could agree on while seeking solutions to their problems.

However, they remain at loggerheads over several issues including maritime jurisdiction, Reuters reported.

Greece's plan to build a marine park in the Aegean, which it says is for environmental purposes, has upset Turkiye, while Athens was annoyed by Turkiye's decision to turn the ancient Chora Church, previously a museum for decades, into a mosque.