The visit of Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis to Ankara on May 13, 2024 was interpreted as the opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations. In order to evaluate the significance of this visit and its possible consequences, it is necessary to briefly review the historical process of Turkish-Greek relations.
Turkish-Greek relations date back to the 1840s. With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the treaties signed after World War I, Turkey and Greece emerged as modern states. In particular, issues such as population exchange and the status of minorities, which were determined in the Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923, affected the course of relations. In the 1930s, an important period of friendship and cooperation began between the two countries. The most important factor in the beginning of this period stemmed from the fact that Turkey and Greece tried to maintain the status quo in the region.
Turkey remained neutral in the Second World War, but Greece was occupied by Germany. In the post-war period, under the influence of the Cold War, Turkish-Greek relations were shaped according to the international conjuncture. Both countries joined NATO in 1952 and sided with each other during the Cold War. Although there was a brief atmosphere of friendship in the 1950s, a period of tension began in the relations between the two countries with the emergence of the Cyprus Problem in 1955. In the 1970s, the Aegean issue and sovereignty claims in the Aegean Sea frequently brought the two countries face to face.
In the 1990s, with the efforts of then Turkish Foreign Minister İsmail Cem and Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, a certain softening in bilateral relations took place. Diplomatic contacts between the two countries increased, confidence-building measures were taken and steps were taken in various areas of cooperation. However, fundamental issues such as the Cyprus Problem and sovereignty disputes in the Aegean Sea remained unresolved.
Today, relations between Turkey and Greece remain complex. Although both countries are NATO members, there are conflicting interests on issues such as Cyprus, islands in the Aegean Sea, maritime borders and natural gas exploration activities. However, some recent diplomatic initiatives and dialog efforts offer some hope for a certain improvement in relations. The mild period in Turkish-Greek relations, which started with Greece sending aid to Turkey after the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Turkey, continues with Mitsotakis’ visit to Ankara on May 13, 2024.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis have met four times in the last year. The first meeting took place in Vilnus on July 12, 2023, where both leaders decided to keep the channels of dialogue open, signalling the beginning of a moderate period in Turkish-Greek relations. Later, the two leaders met in New York on September 20, 2023 and continued the same moderate statements.
The third time they met was when President Erdoğan visited Athens on December 7, 2023. Unlike the others, this visit was more inclusive, and decisions were taken that paved the way for cooperation between the two countries, moving Turkish-Greek relations away from the tense atmosphere of recent years. These decisions were put in writing with the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness. This led to steps of cooperation in areas such as trade, economy and tourism in the Aegean. Greece’s introduction of door visas for Turkish citizens to visit the Aegean islands was an important step in bringing the Aegean Sea into a common tourism and trade area.[1]
During the fourth visit between Erdoğan and Mitsotakis on May 13, 2024, the leaders made moderate statements and made it clear that they wanted to conduct Turkish-Greek relations in a non-confrontational manner. However, the opening of the Kariye Mosque for worship was an issue that disturbed Greece. Mitsotakis also expressed this in his discourses. However, the Greek Prime Minister stated that it was important to keep the channels of dialogue open despite the problems.[2] Although the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean were discussed, they did not become the agenda of the visit.
The moderate progress in relations between Turkey and Greece for more than a year is important as both countries are NATO allies and share an important sea, the Aegean, together. The Aegean Sea is particularly important for Turkey and Greece in terms of economy, trade and tourism. Years of tensions in the Aegean have damaged the interests of both countries. This new era in the context of Turkish-Greek relations will undoubtedly transform the Aegean from a line of tension to a sea of trade and tourism. Considering the cultural and historical proximity of the two countries to each other, it is in the interest of both countries for the Aegean to become a sea of trade and tourism.
On the other hand, sovereignty disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean have become a “vicious circle” between Turkey and Greece. Although these issues come up during the visits, both countries seem to be running away from any solution. This period of cooperation and dialogue is of course important for Turkey and Greece, which have signed a cooperation agreement for the first time in almost ninety years. However, unless important issues such as the sovereignty dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean are seriously discussed, relations between Turkey and Greece will continue to hang by a thread.
[1] “Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan ve Miçotakis bir yıl içerisinde 4’üncü kez buluşacak”, TRT Haber, https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-ile-micotakis-bir-yil-icerisinde-4uncu-kez-bulusacak-857053.html, (Date of Access: 22.05.2024).
[2] “Mitsotakis says Turkey and Greece should increase cooperation and contacts”, Newsroom, https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1238608/mitsotakis-says-turkey-and-greece-should-increase-cooperation-and-contacts/, (Date of Access: 22.05.2024).
