FM Hakan Fidan to visit Greece on Nov. 8 for bilateral talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) makes a speech as he holds a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (not seen) following their meeting at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Ankara, Türkiye on October 15, 2024. (AA Photo)
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Greece on Nov. 8 for an official visit, following an invitation from his Greek counterpart, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
During the visit, Fidan will engage in discussions on a range of issues affecting Türkiye-Greece relations, including preparations for the upcoming High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, set to take place in Ankara early next year.
Focus on HLCC preparations and Türkiye-Greece relations
Discussions are expected to include preparations for the sixth HLCC meeting, a significant event for enhancing diplomatic and economic cooperation. The HLCC framework provides both countries with mechanisms such as the “political dialogue,” “positive agenda action plan,” and “confidence-building measures.”
Türkiye and Greece have seen notable progress in relations over the last two years, with the two countries striving to resolve differences through dialogue.
Setting dates for joint dialogues and action plans
Alongside HLCC preparations, both sides aim to finalize dates for the upcoming Political Dialogue and Positive Agenda Action Plan meetings.
The recent HLCC session, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on December 7, 2023, resulted in 15 signed agreements covering topics from trade to cultural exchange.
Increasing economic, tourism cooperation
Economic relations are also a priority, with trade between Türkiye and Greece reaching a record $5.8 billion in 2023.
The goal is to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion, an objective set by both leaders. Cooperation has expanded in transport and tourism, with additional meetings scheduled on maritime and tourism topics later this year in Istanbul and Athens.
Plans to construct a second bridge at the Ipsala-Kipi border are also under consideration.
Diplomatic dialogue on Aegean and regional issues
Türkiye continues to stress the interconnected nature of Aegean issues, advocating for a holistic approach to discussions. Both nations have committed to maintaining open channels of communication, with Türkiye reiterating its expectations for Greece to avoid provocations in both rhetoric and action.
Commitment to supporting Turkish minorities
Türkiye remains attentive to the rights of Turkish minorities in Greece, particularly in Western Thrace, and the conditions of Turkish communities in Thessaloniki, Rhodes, and Kos. Türkiye’s expectations for progress on minority rights will continue to be emphasized in ongoing dialogues.
