Erdoğan and Mitsotakis meet in Ankara, pledge to deepen bilateral dialogue

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the Turkish Presidential Complex on Wednesday for wide-ranging discussions aimed at reinforcing positive momentum in bilateral relations. At a joint press conference following the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye and Greece, as neighbors and NATO allies, must maintain open channels of dialogue grounded in cooperation.

Economic Goals and Positive Agenda

Erdoğan announced the two countries are working to elevate bilateral trade volume from approximately $7 billion to $10 billion. Business councils from both nations convened concurrently to explore new avenues of economic partnership. The leaders reaffirmed commitments established during the December 2023 Athens Declaration, noting that sustained high-level contacts provide fertile ground for continued progress on outstanding issues in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. While acknowledging complexities, Erdoğan expressed confidence that disputes are resolvable through international law, goodwill, and shared political will.

Minority Rights and Human Dimension

The Turkish president raised expectations regarding the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, emphasizing the importance of full access to religious freedoms and educational rights. He stressed the necessity of approaching minority issues with historical responsibility, describing them as the human dimension of bilateral ties. This marks continued Turkish advocacy for the community's rights within Greek legal frameworks.

Regional Security and International Cooperation

Discussions extended to pressing regional matters, including Gaza and Syria. Erdoğan condemned Israeli measures expanding West Bank control and weakening Palestinian Authority, reiterating that durable Middle East peace depends on a two-state solution. He suggested Greece, as a 2025-2026 UN Security Council member, could help maintain focus on this framework. The leaders also addressed post-conflict stability in Syria, with Erdoğan underscoring Türkiye's constructive role as beneficial for Greek and European security. Ankara expressed interest in participating in European defense initiatives, viewing such engagement as mutually advantageous.