Mitsotakis’ visit to Turkiye on the agenda of Greek press

Ahead of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to Turkiye on May 13, Greek media highlights the positive atmosphere prevailing in bilateral relations

In recent years, historically tense Türkiye-Greece relations, particularly concerning the Aegean Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus issues have recently witnessed a positive turn. Both Ankara and Athens concur on the importance of maintaining this favorable atmosphere.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a landmark visit to Athens in December, during which the two nations agreed to enhance trade, maintain open communication channels, and implement measures to alleviate tensions.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will also pay a return visit in the coming days and will meet President Erdogan in Ankara on May 13.

President Erdogan said after yesterday’s cabinet meeting: “Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis will come to Ankara on an official visit. Like a double-headed Seljuk eagle, we will look for ways to develop our relations with the East and the West based on our common interests.”

Erdogan’s remarks were widely covered in the Greek press

President Erdogan’s message and Mitsotakis’ visit to Ankara were some of the most prominent headlines in Greek media today.

Kathimerini, one of the prominent newspapers in Greece, reported that President Erdogan stated, “We do not face any issues in our region that cannot be resolved with any country. We firmly believe that dialogue and negotiation can open any door. As long as diplomacy is given a chance, the rest will ensue.” Meanwhile, Protothema highlighted Erdogan’s remarks, presenting them to its readers under the headline ‘There is no problem we cannot solve.’

An analysis in Newsbeast stated that preparations for Mitsotakis’ visit to Ankara are in full swing and emphasized that Erdogan’s latest statement carries a meaning far beyond the hand of friendship to Greece.

According to the outlet, the May 13 meeting between the two leaders will focus on the progress of political dialogue, the Memorandum of Understanding, and a positive agenda.

Difficult matters are not anticipated to be broached, but Athens is ready in the event that Ankara raises the topic of marine reserves in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

If all goes well, Mitsotakis and Erdogan will have the opportunity to meet again at the NATO Summit in Washington in July and then again at the UN General Assembly in September.

Asked recently by Skai Television what he expected from the meeting, Mitsotakis said, “A step forward in the Turkish-Greek rapprochement. This rapprochement has yielded some important results so far.”

Source: Newsroom