Leaders of Greece and Turkey meet to improve relations between regional rivals

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in Ankara on Monday for high-level talks aimed at boosting relations between the competitive Aegean neighbours. The leaders of Greece and Türkiye met to put aside decades-old disputes, but they also revealed deep divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.

During a news conference in Ankara, Erdogan disagreed with Mitsotakis’ characterization of Hamas as a terrorist organization, instead calling them a “resistance organization.” This difference in opinion highlighted the ongoing challenges in the relationship between the two countries.

Despite their disagreements, the leaders discussed various topics such as trade, energy, education, and cultural ties. They have been working to strengthen their relationship and find areas of consensus, especially after coming to the brink of war multiple times in the past.

Since their last meeting in Athens, both countries have made efforts to improve relations, including initiatives to promote tourism and cultural exchange. However, there are still minor disputes, such as the recent controversy over a former Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul being converted into a mosque.

Overall, the meeting between Erdogan and Mitsotakis signifies a continued effort to improve relations and prevent further instability in the region, especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite their differences, both leaders are committed to maintaining open channels of dialogue and focusing on areas of mutual benefit.