Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan listens his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis, during a join news conference and after their meeting, in Athens, Nov 8. [AP]
Greece is treading a fine line in its relations with Turkey, seeking to maintain channels for dialogue while actively participating in regional alliances aimed at countering Ankara’s growing influence, particularly through Syria.
With Ankara shifting its focus toward establishing dominance in Syria and anticipating the geopolitical shifts tied to Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, Athens sees its bilateral ties with Turkey taking a back seat. Nonetheless, Turkish officials have been sending signals of constructive engagement.
In a press conference addressing international and Turkish media, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Ankara’s interest in a “positive relationship” with Athens. “There is a positive relationship between Turkey and Greece, especially one that started at the leadership level,” Fidan remarked. He credited the relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for creating a conducive environment to resolving long-standing disputes.
However, Fidan also acknowledged the internal pressures affecting Greece’s decision-making. “We understand the internal political pressures our Greek counterparts face, especially the prime minister and foreign minister. If internal pressure reflected solely on the real interests of Greece, as in Turkey, a more rational framework might emerge,” he noted.
Fidan expressed optimism about 2025, highlighting it as a window of opportunity for advancing diplomatic efforts before the next electoral cycles in both nations. “Our president has consistently shown his readiness on many issues, and we see Mr Mitsotakis shares a similar determination. I hope this determination leads to significant steps,” he said.
The Turkish foreign minister refrained from answering questions on Turkey’s potential agreement on an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with Syria or the future of Cyprus. However, he stressed the need for a shared vision of peace in the region. “I envision a world where Greece, Turkey, and both Cypriot communities resolve their issues together, transforming the Aegean and Mediterranean into areas of peace and prosperity,” he added.