Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan have met informally in Istanbul, in a surprise diplomatic contact that was not publicly disclosed beforehand, Greek diplomatic sources confirmed.
The dinner took place at Mr. Fidan’s invitation and represents the latest effort to maintain open communication between Athens and Ankara amid renewed strains in their bilateral relations.
While no official agenda was released, the meeting occurred at a sensitive time.
Tensions have recently risen following Greece’s announcement of new maritime spatial planning initiatives, a move Turkey has condemned as unilateral and provocative.
Mr. Fidan had previously warned against any “fait accompli” in Cyprus, the Aegean Sea, or the Eastern Mediterranean.
Another point of contention is the delayed Greece–Cyprus–Israel electricity interconnection project. This undersea cable initiative, once considered a strategic energy link in the region, has recently stalled due to geopolitical complications.
Despite the informal nature of the dinner, its timing underscores the persistent fragility in Greek-Turkish relations and the importance both countries place on maintaining channels for dialogue.