Erdoğan, Mitsotakis pledge continued dialogue and cooperation between Türkiye and Greece

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and cooperation on Thursday following the 6th meeting of the Türkiye-Greece High-Level Cooperation Council in Ankara.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex, President Erdoğan said he “sincerely believes” that Türkiye and Greece must keep channels of communication open based on cooperation as “two neighbors and allies.”

Commitment to dialogue despite differences

Erdoğan stated that during their talks, the two leaders once again addressed their positions on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean “openly and sincerely.”

“Although the existing issues are complex, they are not unsolvable within the framework of international law,” Erdoğan said. “What is required is goodwill, constructive dialogue, and the will to find solutions.”

Recalling his visit to Athens on December 7, 2023, for the 5th High-Level Cooperation Council meeting, Erdoğan noted that both sides had formalized their commitment to maintaining open dialogue and improving bilateral ties through the Athens Declaration. He added that discussions in Ankara focused on how to further advance relations through a positive agenda.

The Turkish president expressed hope that the documents signed during the meeting would strengthen the legal foundation of bilateral relations. He reiterated the goal of increasing bilateral trade — which reached approximately $7 billion last year — to $10 billion. Business councils from both countries also met to explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Erdoğan said he was pleased to see alignment with Mitsotakis on the possibility of making progress on interconnected Aegean disputes, similar to the momentum achieved in other areas of cooperation since 2023.

Minority rights and security concerns

Erdoğan emphasized the importance of addressing minority issues with a sense of historical responsibility. He said he conveyed Türkiye’s expectations regarding the Western Thrace Turkish minority’s full enjoyment of religious freedoms and educational rights.

The president also reiterated Türkiye’s expectations for stronger cooperation in combating terrorism and organized crime.

As NATO allies, Erdoğan noted, both countries face multiple threats to security and stability. He underlined that Türkiye’s participation in recently launched European defense initiatives would serve shared interests.

Regional developments: Gaza, Syria and beyond

The two leaders also discussed regional developments, including the ceasefire process in Gaza. Erdoğan rejected recent Israeli decisions aimed at expanding control in the West Bank and weakening the Palestinian Authority.

“Lasting peace and stability in the Middle East depend on a just solution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-state framework,” Erdoğan said, expressing confidence that Greece, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–2026, would help keep this perspective on the Council’s agenda.

Erdoğan also stressed the importance of stabilizing Syria while preserving its territorial integrity, noting that Türkiye’s constructive role contributes not only to Syria’s future but also to the security of Greece and Europe.

“I wholeheartedly believe that as two neighbors and allies, we must keep dialogue channels open on the basis of cooperation,” he concluded.

Mitsotakis: “These meetings show the value of good neighborly relations”

Prime Minister Mitsotakis thanked Turkish President Erdoğan for the warm hospitality, describing the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council meeting as highly significant.

“These meetings demonstrate how important and valuable good neighborly relations and dialogue are,” Mitsotakis said.

He recalled that in 2023 the two sides made a strategic choice to structure bilateral engagement around three pillars: political dialogue, a positive agenda, and confidence-building measures.

Trade, migration and visa facilitation

Mitsotakis said substantial progress had been made under the positive agenda framework. He noted that the short-term visa scheme allowing Turkish citizens to visit Greek islands had produced “extremely important and fruitful results,” with hundreds of thousands of Turkish visitors traveling to Greece.

He expressed hope that the arrangement, implemented in coordination with the European Union, would continue this year.

On irregular migration, Mitsotakis described cooperation with Türkiye as “extremely important and productive,” noting a reported 60 percent decrease in illegal migration in 2026, attributing the drop to more effective protection of both land and sea borders. He stressed that the recent tragedy off the coast of Chios underscored the importance of sustained coordination.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure at the Kipi and Kastanies border crossings to facilitate commerce and welcomed growing cross-investments between companies in both countries.

Disputes and international law

Mitsotakis acknowledged that disagreements remain, including issues related to the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones in the Aegean. He suggested that such disputes could potentially be referred to an international judicial body, emphasizing that solutions must be grounded in international law.

“It is time for all threats to be removed from our bilateral relations,” he said, expressing optimism that conditions are favorable for progress.

On Cyprus, Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s position that any renewed dialogue process should be conducted within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions.

Minority issues

Addressing minority issues, he stated that Greece bases its approach on the Treaty of Lausanne, referring to the Muslim minority in Thrace as a religious minority. He added that minorities in both countries could serve as bridges fostering mutual understanding.

Addressing the issue of the Western Thrace Turkish minority, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said Greece approaches minority matters on the basis of the Treaty of Lausanne.
“Under the Treaty, the minority in Thrace is defined as a religious minority — a Muslim minority,” he said. “I would like to stress once again that the Greek Muslims of Thrace live in great harmony alongside the Christian population in the region. They are equal before the law.”

Mitsotakis also referred to the Greek minority in Istanbul, noting that although its numbers have declined, it continues to contribute to the country’s cultural and social life.

“Minorities in both countries can truly serve as bridges between our nations and play a role in fostering mutual understanding,” he added.

Shared regional responsibilities

Mitsotakis also voiced support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue and said Greece does not support any potential annexation of Gaza by Israel. He stressed the need for Hamas to be disarmed and for terrorism to be eradicated from the region.

The Greek prime minister expressed hope for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and said both leaders agreed on the importance of diplomacy and respect for international law.

He added that Türkiye and Greece, as key regional countries, can cooperate to promote political stability and respect for minority rights, including in Syria’s reconstruction efforts.

“Fate has placed Türkiye and Greece in the same neighborhood,” Mitsotakis said. “We cannot change our geography, but we can build an alliance and work responsibly for the peace and prosperity of our peoples.”

Mitsotakis concluded by inviting President Erdoğan to Greece for the next High-Level Cooperation Council meeting.

Following the talks, President Erdoğan hosted a private dinner in honor of Prime Minister Mitsotakis at the Presidential Complex.

Source:AA