Erdogan in Greece: signs point to relaxation

Turkish President Erdogan traveled to Greece for talks. Both countries had been hostile to each other for a long time, but now there are signs of relaxation. Critical topics were mentioned in passing.

When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the gestures and facial expressions speak for themselves: Mitsotakis smiles at Erdogan, and both shake hands for a noticeably long time on the red carpet.

For a short time, after throwing a treat, a small dog emerges from Mitsotakis’ official residence and wags its tail in a friendly manner. A stark contrast: Just a year ago, Erdogan had threatened that Mitsotakis no longer existed for him. And: You can come in the middle of the night. A military threat that led Mitsotakis to describe Erdogan as “dangerous.”

“United by solidarity and humanity”

Now in Athens the signs point to relaxation. In advance, Erdogan had spoken of his “friend Kyriakos”. And when he first met with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulpou in the morning, he followed up. He believes in a new, strengthening era between Turkey and Greece. A large delegation of ministers now wants to work together meaningfully. In the future, Erdogan continued, it would be better to see the glass half full than half empty.

Sakellaropoulou emphasizes: Given the crises and wars around us, it is more necessary than ever for Greece and Turkey to work together. Both countries are connected by solidarity and humanity. This year has shown that: First the severe earthquake in Turkey in February – and Greek helpers who were among the first on site. Then the serious forest fires in Greece in the summer – Turkish firefighters pitched in. Of course there are issues on which both countries have different approaches, said Sakellaropoulpou. It is now all the more important to maintain and consolidate the constructive climate.

The critical issues include the conflict over sovereign rights in the Aegean and the question of who owns natural gas reserves under the seabed. Erdogan emphasizes: They want to solve the problems through constructive dialogue and within the framework of international law and make the Aegean a peaceful sea. According to Erdogan, if even siblings have different opinions from time to time, then that is completely natural when it comes to two neighboring countries. The decisive factor is whether they have the will to resolve the differences of opinion.

Cooperation on migration

The focus of the meeting is on a whole series of cooperation agreements – drawn up and signed by the respective ministries. It’s about more economic trade, with a volume of around ten billion US dollars. To facilitate visas for Turkish tourists who want to visit the Greek islands.

And high on the agenda: the issue of migration. This summer a lot of refugees came from Turkey to the Greek islands. Recently, Mitsotakis emphasizes, there have been significantly fewer again. This is because Greece systematically monitors its land and sea borders. And that both countries would now work much better together with the police and coast guard. This cooperation can and must be further improved, said Mitsotakis.

The current cooperation in refugee policy is particularly interesting because the EU-Turkey agreement on migration from 2016 is fragile and Turkey has no longer taken back refugees from Greek islands since 2020, as actually planned.

At best, a pragmatic approach

Erdogan himself is probably keen to stop the flow of refugees through his country. Because more and more Turks are dissatisfied with the high number of refugees in the country. Observers believe: With the new, friendly line, Erdogan could also try to mend difficult relations with the West. Erdogan recently praised Hamas as a “liberator”.

At the end of the meeting there is a joint declaration for “good neighborly relations”. Erdogan and Mitsotakis may be able to approach each other more openly at the moment because they have both just been elected – meaning they have a whole term in office ahead of them and don’t have to bluster against their neighbors in order to get votes. It is said that the next meeting between the two will not take place again after six years, but rather next spring. Then Mitsotakis wants to travel to Ankara and continue the new path with Erdogan. Real friendship is no longer likely to develop. But in the best case, a pragmatic approach to one another that lasts.