Athens extends olive branch to Ankara as maritime tensions simmer
The flags of Greece, Greek Cyprus, Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) fly above security outposts. (AFP Photo)
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has called for dialogue and moderation with Türkiye, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the calm atmosphere in bilateral relations that has prevailed over the past two years.
The appeal comes in the wake of public tension following Greece’s publication of its “Maritime Spatial Planning” map on April 16, which reflects Greece’s maximalist claims in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
“We’re determined to maintain open communication channels with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to preserve the calm environment and prevent tensions,” Gerapetritis told Parapolitika newspaper.
3 key meetings scheduled
The diplomat revealed an upcoming series of high-level contacts between the two countries. Military delegations from both nations are set to meet in Thessaloniki today to discuss confidence-building measures in the Aegean. Additionally, a large delegation of Greek business leaders will visit Istanbul on May 8-9.
The two foreign ministers will meet again at NATO’s informal ministerial meeting in Antalya on May 14-15.
Gerapetritis also announced that the High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will take place in Türkiye at a date to be determined by their schedules.
Map controversy clarified
Addressing concerns about the recently published “Maritime Spatial Planning” map, the Greek foreign minister insisted it does not constitute a declaration of continental shelf claims.
He reiterated Greece’s position that the International Court of Justice in The Hague should resolve disputes over continental shelf and exclusive economic zone issues.
Türkiye is expected to publish its own “Maritime Spatial Planning” map in the coming period. Speculation in Athens suggests this map will likely incorporate the “Blue Homeland” boundaries, in accordance with Türkiye’s maritime claims.
Military capacity expansion
Despite the diplomatic overtures, Greece continues to bolster its military capabilities. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced plans to establish a 150,000-strong “reserve force of conscripts and reserve officers” over the next five years.
Dendias described the restructuring of the organization and training of reserve conscripts and officers as “strategically necessary,” adding, “The opponents our homeland faces, the threats, or rather the single threat, greatly outnumber us. Therefore, we must strengthen our active army. The training of reserve conscripts and reserve officers must not remain on paper.”
Potential port gesture to Greek Cypriots
In a separate development, Greek newspaper Ta Nea claimed Türkiye intends to make a gesture toward the Greek Cypriot administration by opening one of its ports to approximately 1,100 vessels carrying the Greek Cypriot flag.
The paper cited a high-ranking Greek Cypriot source who stated, “So far, no information has reached Athens or Brussels regarding such an intention by Türkiye. (Greek Cypriot leader) Nikos Christodoulides had proposed to Türkiye officials the opening of a port.”
When asked what could be offered to Türkiye in return, the same source reportedly suggested “visa facilitation for Türkiye business people in the European Union.”
The maritime map publication by Greece had previously drawn strong objections from Türkiye, prompting Ankara University’s National Research Center for Maritime Law to publish its own study protecting Türkiye’s interests.
