Delegations from Turkey and Greece discussed bilateral relations in Athens

Delegations from Turkey and Greece met in Athens as part of efforts to improve bilateral relations. During the meeting, measures to enhance trust between the two countries were extensively discussed, along with an assessment of regional and international events.

As part of the diplomatic visit aimed at normalizing strained relations between Ankara and Athens, Turkey's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Burak Akçapar, and Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou, met in Athens.

The consultative meeting also follows the Athens Declaration, signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Greece on December 7, 2023. Following the trip, various agreements in the fields of education and energy were signed between the two countries.

After the visit of the Turkish leader, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Ankara on an official visit on May 13. Following the trip, the Greek Prime Minister announced that tourists from Turkey would be able to obtain visas to visit 10 Greek islands.

The latest meeting within the framework of the political dialogue between the foreign policy agencies of Turkey and Greece took place on March 10 in Ankara.

Among the most important issues between the two countries are the territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, airspace, Turkey's oil and geological exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean, illegal immigrants, the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, and Cyprus.

It is also noted that on April 16, Greece, which has one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean, announced plans to create new marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. However, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concerned about Greece's plans to establish a marine park, accused Athens of using environmental issues for geopolitical purposes.