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Turkey says the 2 sides agreed to maintain communication channels open regardless of disagreements.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have held talks in Istanbul, searching for a rapprochement in opposition to the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Each international locations have key roles to play within the altering safety scenario in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and their elevated cooperation would have advantages for the area, the Turkish presidency mentioned in an announcement following Sunday’s talks.
“Regardless of the disagreements between Turkey and Greece, it was agreed on the assembly to maintain communication channels open and to enhance bilateral relations,” the assertion mentioned.
“Stating that Turkey and Greece have a particular accountability within the altering European safety structure with Russia’s assault on Ukraine, the assembly centered on the mutual and regional advantages of accelerating cooperation between the 2 international locations,” it added.
The assembly between the leaders of the neighbouring NATO members got here as Ankara seeks to shore up its credentials as a regional energy participant by mediating within the battle.
Final Thursday, the Turkish resort metropolis of Antalya hosted the first talks between Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba because the begin of Russia’s invasion on February 24. They failed to succeed in a breakthrough.
Standoff
Greece and Turkey entered a standoff in 2020 over hydrocarbon assets and naval affect within the waters off their coasts.
Mitsotakis then unveiled Greece’s most formidable arms buy programme in many years and signed a defence settlement with France, to Turkey’s consternation.
Senior Turkish officers proceed to query Greek sovereignty over elements of the Aegean Sea, however final yr Ankara resumed bilateral talks with Athens.
After a five-year hiatus, Greece and Turkey agreed final yr to renew exploratory talks to handle their very own variations within the Mediterranean, however little progress has been made to this point.
The international locations got here near confrontation in 2020, when Turkey despatched a drilling ship to contested Mediterranean waters. The scenario eased after Ankara withdrew the vessel, and the neighbours resumed bilateral talks in January 2021.
‘Measured’ expectations
Earlier than his journey to Turkey, Mitsotakis had mentioned he was heading there in a “productive temper” and with “measured” expectations.
“As companions in NATO, we’re referred to as upon … to attempt to hold our area away from any extra geopolitical disaster,” he advised a cupboard assembly on Wednesday.
Alongside its European companions, Athens strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “revisionist” assault and “flagrant violation of worldwide regulation”.
Earlier on Sunday, Mitsotakis attended a celebration on the Orthodox St George’s Cathedral, Turkey’s largest, in Istanbul.
The Greek authorities spokesman this week mentioned Mitsotakis was as a consequence of go to the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Sunday.
Bartholomew, who has mentioned he’s “a goal for Moscow”, referred to as through the mass for an “speedy ceasefire on all fronts” in Ukraine.
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