Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis is coming to Ankara: What topics will be discussed with Erdoğan?
During the expected visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Ankara, it is anticipated that cooperation in many areas, primarily the economy, will be developed with AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
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President and AKP Chairman Erdoğan’s invitation will be reciprocated by Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis, who will visit Ankara on May 13.
A new era in bilateral relations began with the visit Erdoğan paid to Greece on December 7, 2023, on the occasion of the High-Level Cooperation Council held in Athens.
As a result of the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighborliness signed between the two countries, a commitment to good relations and peaceful coexistence was declared.
The good relations at the leadership level, along with the continuation of official visits and contacts between Foreign Ministers and other relevant Ministers, serve as an indication that the parties have maintained their commitment to the Declaration since the visit.
JOINT ACTION PLAN
It was stated that during Mitsotakis’s visit to Ankara, the goal is to continue the Joint Action Plan aimed at developing cooperation in various fields, primarily the economy, as well as transport, science, technology, agriculture, tourism, health, and human relations, on the basis of a positive agenda.
Steps that can be taken to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Greece, which is approaching 6 billion dollars, to 10 billion dollars within the framework of the common goal set by the leaders of both countries will also be evaluated. In the meetings, it is also aimed for leading businessmen from both countries to come together under the umbrella of a newly established Joint Business Council.
GREEK ISLANDS TO BE DISCUSSED
The issue of continuing the facilitated visa procedure (visa at the gate) applied to Turkish citizens traveling to 10 Greek islands since March 30 will also be addressed. It is expected that issues concerning the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Turks in Rhodes, Kos, and Thessaloniki will be brought to the agenda.
COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION
While it is planned to review cooperation in counter-terrorism and expectations on these issues, it is aimed to discuss joint efforts against irregular migration and cooperation in this field. It is expected that Turkey will convey its views on regional and international developments, especially the Israel-Palestine conflict.
TWO ADDITIONAL TOPICS IN ADDITION TO 15 AGREEMENTS
In addition to the total of 15 agreements signed in various fields during President Erdoğan’s visit in December, the signing of agreements on Health and Medical Sciences and Disaster and Emergency Management will be on the table during Mitsotakis’s visit.
Furthermore, reflecting the positive trend in Turkey-Greece relations, a joint statement is expected to be made by President Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis during the visit.