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The disagreements between them were strong regarding Hamas, the interpretation of the issue of the minority in Thrace, Cyprus and the conversion of Chora Monastery into a mosque.
The need to continue dialogue despite the agreements and disagreements that exist on a number of issues was the dominant message from the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara.
The two leaders referred to the important economic agreements they signed. The disagreements between them were strong regarding Hamas, the interpretation of the issue of the minority in Thrace, Cyprus and the conversion of Chora Monastery into a mosque.
Mitsotakis said that Greece and Turkey "should not remain captives" of the past, adding that the two countries should intensify bilateral contacts and cooperation in the future.
" Despite our differences in views, we have proven that we are open to a favorable cooperation ", he said at a press conference after talks with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara.
Mitsotakis reiterated Greece's support for Turkey's accession to the EU, despite the great difficulties... provided that it integrates into the European acquis.
Regarding migration, the Greek Prime Minister praised Turkey's contribution to stopping irregular migration in the Aegean Sea.
On the war in the Middle East, Mitsotakis acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense after the October 7 terrorist attack, but warned against the Israelis' asymmetric use of force in the Gaza Strip. He also said that Athens and Ankara disagree on the definition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, but agree that the violence must end and a long-term ceasefire is needed.
" We don't always agree with Turkey on issues related to the Middle East. Athens' position is that Israel had every right to defend itself. But we agree that the asymmetric use of force and bloodshed in the region must stop and a long-term ceasefire be reached, Gaza's civilians protected and the hostages released. We agree that it would be a colossal mistake to launch a ground attack on Gaza. The only viable option is a return to political processes and a two-state solution ," Mitsotakis said.
But this targeting was not accepted by Erdogan, who declared that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, but a Palestinian resistance organization.
" The international community must speak with a louder voice about the death of 35,000 civilians. Hamas is a resistance organization, fighting for its territories. We would be sorry if you considered it a terrorist organization ," Erdogan underlined.
Mitsotakis also said that the decision of the Turkish authorities to turn the Byzantine Monastery of Chora into a mosque is regrettable.
" Of course, the spirit of harmonious coexistence also includes respecting international rules for the protection of religious and cultural heritage, especially when we talk about monuments that are universal property under the umbrella of UNESCO. We had the opportunity to honestly discuss with President Erdogan our concern, our dissatisfaction with the fact that the Chora Monastery has changed its character and will now function as a mosque ," added Mitsotakis.
Regarding Chora's conversion, Erdogan said his government is committed to preserving every cultural heritage site recognized by UNESCO. Chora Mosque is now open to everyone with its new identity.
The Turkish president further said that the two leaders discussed their cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
" Our cooperation against terrorism with Greece is strengthened day by day and we agree that there is no future for terrorist groups in the future of our region ", he said.
Speaking about the problems related to the minorities of the two countries, Mitsotakis said that this part has already been resolved by the Treaty of Lausanne.
" At the same time, the minorities in our countries defined by the Treaty of Lausanne constitute and I deeply believe this a bridge of friendship between our two peoples. On the one hand, the Greek minority, although drastically reduced in population, enriches the social and cultural life of Turkey. But he also needs the support of the Turkish state to continue to do so. While in Thrace, our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens live in harmony with the European and Greek legal order, guaranteeing them a regime of equal opportunities ," said Mitsotakis.
Erdogan further said that there are no insoluble problems between Turkey and Greece and that a step towards a solution for the divided island of Cyprus would strengthen regional peace and stability.
" There is no problem between Greece and Turkey, no matter how big it is, that cannot be solved ," Erdogan said.
He said both countries were focusing on a positive agenda, keeping dialogue channels open despite differences of opinion, adding that both countries were working towards achieving the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion from $6 billion. which is currently.
" My belief is that the strengthening of cooperation between Turkey and Greece will benefit the countries and the wider region. We discussed issues of common agenda. We are working to increase bilateral trade from $5.8 billion to $10 billion. The joint business council will make a major contribution to our efforts. Our countries that are in a seismic zone have consolidated what the neighbor law requires. For this, a memorandum on the management of natural disasters was signed. We also discussed related problems in bilateral relations ", Erdogan concluded. / Pamphlet
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