Athens and Ankara agreed on Thursday to relaunch their bilateral relations. A road map intended to pave the way for a new era between the two NATO allies but historical enemies.
During a historic visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Athens – the first since 2017 – Greece and Turkey agreed to focus on continuing good neighborly relations, maintaining open communication channels, increasing volumes trade and to work on the issues that separate them, particularly in the Aegean Sea. A historic turning point.
This crucial agreement will materialize in particular on the migration issue.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece : “Regarding migration, we have seen a substantial reduction in flows over the last period. And this is the result of the systematic monitoring of the sea as well as the land borders. I would also add that this is the result ofmuch better cooperation between the police and coast guards of our two countries. And this cooperation can and must be further improved.”
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President :“We want to make the Aegean Sea a sea of peace and cooperation. As Turkey and Greece, we seek to be an example for the whole world. I speak frankly: there is no problem between us that cannot be resolved.”
Behind this apparent courtesy, differences nevertheless remain. Especially **about Cyprus.**Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke out in favor of a fair solution to the Cyprus question “based on the realities of the island”implying a two-state solution, while Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the only solution lay in the reunification of the island in accordance with UN resolutions.
Turkey also claims that Greece unfairly views the entire Aegean Sea as a “Greek sea”, in defiance of its own rights as a coastal State.
Athens claims that its only dispute with Ankara concerns the delimitation of the continental shelf – the part of the seabed close to its coasts – and the exclusive economic zones.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also said he had been invited to Ankara and intended to visit Turkey in the spring.
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou also received the Turkish President.
Greece and Turkey have also signed a non-binding declaration of friendship and will strive to double their bilateral trade to bring it to 9.3 billion euros.
The statement indicates that both states will refrain from any aggressive declaration and take steps to reduce military tensions.
Among all the agreements signed during this Greek-Turkish rapprochement, explains our correspondent Fay Doulgkeri, the most important agreement concerns the joint declaration of friendly ties and good neighbors between the two countries. A declaration by which both parties seal their desire to have “calm waters” in the Aegean Sea, thus maintaining the peaceful atmosphere between Athens and Ankara observed in recent months. which will require more confidence-building measures between the two parties.