FM Fidan to meet Greek counterpart in Athens on Nov. 8

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Athens on Nov. 8 to meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Yerapetritis. This visit is a reciprocal gesture following Yerapetritis’ working visit to Ankara on September 5, 2023.

Fidan’s agenda will include preparations for the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council meeting, scheduled for 2025 in Ankara, between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The two ministers are expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, particularly concerning the Middle East.

Commitment to sustaining positive momentum in Greek-Turkish relations

Officials indicate that Türkiye and Greece have recently experienced positive momentum in their relations, and Ankara aims to maintain this trajectory. Türkiye is focusing on areas of cooperation beneficial to both nations while avoiding escalatory actions and rhetoric, as highlighted in the Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness Declaration signed by Erdogan and Mitsotakis on December 7, 2023.

While acknowledging some disagreements, officials emphasize the potential for finding common ground, aligning with the leaders’ desires for collaboration. It is stressed that Turkish and Greek authorities must work together to enhance stability and peace for their populations.

Ongoing discussions on Aegean issues

Regarding Aegean issues, officials note that both parties have maintained their positions, but discussions are ongoing concerning all interlinked disputes in maritime and airspace areas.

Türkiye seeks a fair, comprehensive, and lasting resolution to these conflicts, including territorial waters, airspace and the militarization of demilitarized islands under international law.

Officials report that Greece asserts the only dispute is the delimitation of continental shelf/exclusive economic zone boundaries, which raises the risk of unresolved issues creating tension in bilateral relations.

Previous exploratory talks between the two nations from 2002 to 2022 addressed Aegean issues across 64 rounds, yielding some progress.

However, advancements have stalled as Greece has reverted to the narrative of “only one dispute.”

If negotiations do not lead to a resolution, officials warn that disputes may be taken to international courts as a package, contingent upon Greece lifting its reservations regarding the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Cooperation on environmental, other issues

Officials emphasize Türkiye’s readiness to collaborate with Greece on environmental issues, energy, scientific research, combating illegal migration, and search and rescue operations in the Aegean. Both sides are urged to avoid unilateral actions.

Both nations have vital interests in the Aegean, and Türkiye advocates for joint projects related to environmental matters, such as marine parks and planning.

Issue of Heybeliada Seminary

Officials highlight Greece’s tendency to frame issues concerning the Greek minority in Türkiye – such as the Heybeliada Seminary – as matters of universal religious freedom or human rights.

They emphasize that the Greek minority should not be treated as an international issue while the Turkish minority in Western Thrace is viewed solely as an internal Greek matter.

They urge Greece to cease its efforts to deny the ethnic identity of its minority, recognize its elected religious leaders, and expand educational opportunities.

Türkiye regards its Greek minority as a valuable asset and a bridge of friendship with Greece, calling on Athens to adopt a similar perspective toward the Turkish minority.

Officials expressed hope that Greece will reconsider its approach to Turks in regions like Thessaloniki.