Turkish, Greek leaders agree to improve bilateral ties, focus on positive agenda

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday agreed to improve bilateral relations and to focus on positive agenda, the Turkish Communications Directorate said.

Apart from bilateral relations, many regional and global developments, including the latest geopolitical issues and repercussions of the Russian attack on Ukraine, were discussed at the meeting held between the two leaders, a directorate statement said.

It was stressed during the meeting that Turkey and Greece bear a special responsibility in Europe's security architecture which is changed with the Russian attack on Ukraine, the statement added.

The meeting also focused on the mutual and regional benefits of increasing cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders also agreed to improve bilateral relations and to keep communication channels open, despite disagreements between the countries, the statement said.

The steps to be taken to reach the $10 billion bilateral trade volume were also discussed in the meeting.

Reiterating Turkey’s steps to open a new page in bilateral relations, Erdogan told Mitsotakis he maintains a belief in progress in Aegean Sea-related issues, fight against terrorism, and illegal migration.

The issues can be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue and thus two neighboring countries should always maintain dialogue and not only in times of crisis, the Turkish president added.

According to the Greek Prime Minister’s Office, Mitsotakis later met with the Patriarchate Bartholomew at the Greek consulate and evaluated his contact with Erdogan.

"As two NATO allies, we face so many common problems in such a period that we agreed that it is more important to focus on the problems that unite us rather than the problems that separate us," the office quoted the prime minister as saying.

It was emphasized on creating a positive agenda on many issues, particularly the economy, during the meeting, he said, adding: "I think we can make significant progress in the coming months. If all goes well, we can hopefully hold the High-Level Cooperation Council in Greece in the autumn."

He went on to say they had a very open and sincere meeting with Erdogan.

"I believe that we have laid the foundations for the improvement of our bilateral relations and cooperation, especially regarding the major problems we are currently facing."

Earlier in the day, Mitsotakis also attended a service at Istanbul's Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.