In a pivotal meeting that extended beyond 90 minutes, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delved into the intricate tangle of Greek-Turkish relations.
And amidst the complexities, both leaders sought to underscore the positive aspects of their continued attempts to ease relations.
Still, they did not shy from voicing and pointing out substantive disagreements between the two NATO allies.
“Today, we have shown that beyond our established differences, we can concurrently craft a narrative of consensus” Mr. Mitsotakis said. He underscored this sentiment by referencing the newly signed bilateral memorandums in health and civil protection sectors.
Despite underlying tensions, the two leaders cemented their commitment to improve relations with a public handshake that led to a lavish dinner hosted by President Erdogan.
The event, which also included Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, featured a menu designed to blend cultures and thaw relations.
Prior to the dinner, a press conference revealed the depth of the leaders’ discord, particularly over the issue of Hamas.
Mr. Mitsotakis clarified that Greece’s stance on events unfolding in the Middle East, drawing stark contrast to Erdogan’s views, who insisted Hamas was not a terrorist organisation.
The leaders also addressed the contentious conversion of the Chora church into a mosque, with the Greek leader expressing concern over preserving the site’s cultural heritage.
A third major point concerned Greece’s Turkish speaking minority in Thrace – a community Mr. Erdogan insisted on calling it Turkish rather than Greek.
Differences also were obvious in tackling the long-time division of Cyprus.