Greek PM Mitsotakis to visit Ankara in May in thaw with Turkey

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced plans to visit Ankara in May, marking a significant move in the recent diplomatic warming between the two historical adversaries.

Wednesday March 13 2024 11:40 am

Reuters

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced plans on March 12 to visit Ankara in May, the latest step in a diplomatic thaw between the two historical rivals, which included a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Greece in December.

"I think there is sincere willingness from the Turkish leadership's side as well for us to be able to bridge our differences, to avoid tensions at least," Mitsotakis said in a televised interview with Greece's Skai TV.

Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have long been at odds over issues including where their continental shelves start and end, energy resources, flights over the Aegean Sea, and policy towards the ethnically divided island of Cyprus.

They have taken high profile steps to improve their ties in recent years, notably since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

During Erdoğan's visit to Greece three months ago, they agreed to boost trade, keep communication channels open, seek military confidence-building measures to reduce tension, and work on issues which have kept them apart, notably in the Aegean Sea.