Erdogan and Mitsotakis likely to meet in New York in September

Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis may meet in New York in September.

Speaking to the Greek daily Kathimerini, Gerapetritis evaluated the relations between Ankara and Athens.

Stating that Erdogan and Mitsotakis may come together in the context of the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York in September, Gerapetritis said, "We are starting a dialogue process in good faith, we want this new effort to be characterized by honesty and trust. The first step has been taken. The calm that currently prevails in the Aegean is a necessary precondition for this new beginning to be fruitful."

Gerapetritis argued that the progress in the normalisation of relations between Greece and Türkiye is a fundamental element for the rapprochement between the EU and Türkiye and that this rapprochement will contribute to stability in a highly sensitive region. "The Greek government wants an atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue," he said.

Referring to the relations between Greece and the US, Gerapetritis said: "We have developed a strong defence cooperation with the US and are deepening our political dialogue. Within the scope of this cooperation, it is normal and expected that the US will further strengthen our defence systems."

Greek State Minister Akis Skertsos noted that one of the main goals of his country is to establish good neighbourly relations with Türkiye.

Skertsos, who evaluated Türkiye-Greece relations in a television programme, stated that one of Greece's main goals is to establish good neighbourly relations with Türkiye and that Türkiye has red lines just like Greece.