President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye and Greece remain committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation as both neighbors pursue a more stable phase in bilateral ties, noting that issues are solvable.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Erdoğan noted that the two sides must keep communication channels open “as neighboring allies are committed to cooperation.”
Erdoğan said he conveyed to Mitsotakis Türkiye’s expectation that the Turkish minority in Western Thrace fully benefit from their religious freedoms and educational rights, calling these protections the “human dimension” of relations that must be safeguarded with historic responsibility. He added that while longstanding disputes in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean are complex, they are “not unsolvable” within the framework of international law, and said the two leaders share a common view that diplomacy is the most constructive path forward.
Erdoğan said he and Mitsotakis held frank discussions on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, stressing that goodwill, constructive dialogue and a clear will to resolve disputes are essential. “I was pleased to see that my dear friend Kyriakos and I agree on this,” he said, expressing confidence that the positive momentum since 2023 can help both sides make progress on interconnected issues.
The Turkish president also said he reiterated Ankara’s expectations on combating terrorism and organized crime, and highlighted the need to address minority-rights issues with historic sensitivity. “We must act with an awareness of our responsibility toward minorities, who form the human dimension of our relations,” he said.
During the talks, Erdoğan emphasized that high-level contacts have provided “a conducive environment” for progress and said he hopes the agreements signed earlier in the day will further consolidate the legal foundation of bilateral ties. He noted that Türkiye aims to raise its trade volume with Greece from roughly $7 billion last year to $10 billion. Business councils from both countries also met to explore new economic opportunities, he said.
Mitsotakis received a warm welcome in Ankara as the two sides convened the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council. Both governments say they want to leave behind years of strained ties and focus on a positive agenda. Last month, diplomats met in Athens to advance this track, as the neighbors work to ease friction over contested maritime boundaries and airspace in the Aegean.
Athens and Ankara have tried to overcome their differences in recent years, leaving behind a troubled past. Last month, diplomats from the two countries came together in the Greek capital for a “positive agenda” meeting.
Tensions have flared intermittently in recent years between the historic rivals, who remain divided over where their continental shelves begin and end in the Aegean, an area believed to hold significant energy potential and linked to disputes over airspace and overflights.
