The recent meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York has offered a glimmer of hope for improved bilateral relations.
While positive strides have been made, particularly in the realm of migration cooperation, significant challenges persist, most notably in the areas of maritime zones and the Cyprus issue.
The escalating migrant flows in the Aegean have been a pressing concern for Greece. The Greek government has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking and dismantle networks operating in the region. However, the recent diplomatic developments between Greece and Turkey have also highlighted the complexities of managing migration flows in the Mediterranean.
The delimitation of maritime zones in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean remains a contentious issue. Turkey's aggressive stance on energy projects in the region, including the Great Sea Interconnector, poses a significant challenge. While there is optimism that a resolution can be found, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether conditions are ripe for negotiations.
The recent incidents involving the Hellenic Coast Guard pursuing traffickers' boats within Turkish territorial waters underscore the delicate nature of Greek-Turkish relations. While the situation was de-escalated through direct communication between ministers, it serves as a reminder of the potential for tensions to flare up.
President Erdoğan's speech at the UN General Assembly highlighted the ongoing challenges in bilateral relations. His insistence on international recognition of the breakaway state in occupied Northern Cyprus and his demands for maritime rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean demonstrate the complexities of the issues at hand.
While the recent meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdoğan is a positive development, it is essential to remain realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.
The path towards a more stable and cooperative relationship between Greece and Turkey will require continued dialogue, compromise, and a commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions.
By Yiannis Koutsomitis