Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis to Visit Ankara Tomorrow for High-Level Cooperation Council
Ankara, February 10 – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to visit Ankara tomorrow to participate in the Sixth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Turkey and Greece. Mitsotakis will be accompanied by a delegation comprising 10 ministers and one deputy minister. According to reports in the Greek press, Athens’ priority is to maintain open communication channels between the two neighboring countries.
The visit comes at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Burhanettin Duran, Director of Communications for the Turkish Presidency, stated on February 5 that the Council Meeting would review all aspects of Turkey-Greece relations and explore opportunities to advance cooperation between the two countries.
Duran added, “During the discussions, it is anticipated that there will be an exchange of views on bilateral relations, as well as regional and global developments. Within the framework of the visit, the signing of various texts aimed at strengthening bilateral relations is also on the agenda.”
Mitsotakis Accompanied by Extensive Ministerial Delegation
Reports in the Greek press indicate that Prime Minister Mitsotakis will be joined by a significant delegation, including Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yiannis Kefalogiannis, Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, and Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theocharis.
Prior to Mitsotakis’s visit to Turkey, Greek media reports highlighted Athens’ expectations. The English version of Kathimerini newspaper, in an article titled “A summit with low expectations,” noted that the two leaders would meet while problems in the Aegean remained “frozen.” The article stated, “In the hierarchy of global crises, the long-standing conflict between Greece and Turkey ranks relatively low. However, for Greece and the Greek people, the situation is different. The conflict with its eastern neighbor traditionally defines its foreign and security policy. In contrast, for leaders in Turkey, the Greek dossier ranks lower on the agenda amidst today’s political turmoil.” The article emphasized that developments in Turkey’s south and east are of greater importance to President Erdoğan, adding, “Ankara plays a key role in shaping the future of Syria.”
eKathimerini’s report concluded, “Regarding the delimitation of exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf, which is of central importance from Greece’s perspective, no convergence has been observed despite diplomatic efforts; the positions of the parties remain unchanged, hence a realistic assessment is being made in Athens.”
Statements from Ankara Cause Ripples in the Aegean
Ta Nea newspaper’s article, “Prime Minister in Ankara tomorrow for HLC: Fidan and Çelik’s statements caused ripples in ‘calm waters’,” referenced statements made by AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The article noted, “Both sides, at the highest level, expressed their clear will to continue bilateral dialogue and strengthen cooperation in ‘low-agenda’ areas that have so far provided mutual, concrete benefits.”
The report highlighted that Ankara and Athens share a common stance on increasing bilateral trade volume and preventing third-party interference in bilateral relations at all costs. “However, statements from Ankara just before the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Meeting caused ripples in the ‘calm waters’ of the Aegean, as the spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling party, Ömer Çelik, referred to the demilitarization of the Greek islands, and Hakan Fidan accused Nikos Dendias of undermining efforts for Greece-Turkey rapprochement,” the article stated.
Ta Nea’s report also mentioned that Fidan left a question about nuclear weapons unanswered in his CNN Türk interview, suggesting that “Fidan was trying to shift attention to internal politics in Athens to move away from internal conflicts.” The article concluded, “In any case, Greek diplomacy is familiar with aggressive moves or statements at every summit with Turkey and is prepared for all possible scenarios.”
Athens Emphasizes Open Communication Channels
CNN Greece’s article, “Message from Athens before Mitsotakis-Erdoğan meeting: Communication channels must remain open,” reported that Greece emphasized the importance of keeping communication channels open between the two countries to defuse potential crises before the visit. The article quoted Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lana Zohiu stating that the issue of delimiting exclusive economic zones was not on the agenda, but “if the issue comes up, it will be discussed.” When asked why Nikos Dendias was not part of the delegation, Zohiu replied that “Dendias would be in Brussels, like his Turkish counterpart.”
Source: https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/turkiye/yunanistan-basbakani-micotakis-yarin-ankara-ya-geliyor-2477664
