Greco-Turkish Friendship Initiative Faces Test with First High-Level Visit

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's visit to Ankara on Monday aims to strengthen a five-month-old friendship initiative between long-time rivals Turkey and Greece. The visit follows a period of tension over disputed territories and resources.

Former adversaries Turkey and Greece will put their newfound friendship to the test on Monday when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visits Ankara. The NATO allies, who share a history of mutual animosity, agreed last December to set aside their disputes and focus on a "positive agenda."

The two leaders, Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will discuss trade, energy, and cultural ties. The visit comes after Athens showed solidarity with Ankara following a devastating earthquake in southern Turkey last year.

Despite their efforts to improve relations, the two countries have significant differences, including over the Israeli-Hamas war and the conflict in Ukraine. Mitsotakis has said that Greece will disagree with Turkey "without illusions" but will keep communication channels open.

Ioannis Grigoriadis, a professor of political science at Ankara's Bilkent University, believes the leaders will seek "win-win solutions" in areas such as trade, tourism, and migration.

Turkey has introduced on-the-spot visas for Turkish tourists visiting 10 Greek islands this summer, facilitating economic and social exchanges.

However, the history of disputes between Athens and Ankara looms large. They have come close to war several times over maritime borders and resource exploration rights in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas.

Another ongoing dispute is over Cyprus, divided since Turkey's 1974 invasion following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

The naval standoff in 2020 over energy exploration highlighted the tensions between the two countries. However, Mitsotakis and Erdogan have met three times in the past year to ease tensions.

Turkey's recent reconversion of a former Byzantine-era church in Istanbul into a mosque has drawn criticism from Greece and the Greek Orthodox church.

Greece's plan to declare "marine parks" in the Ionian and Aegean seas has also sparked objections from Turkey, which views it as a unilateral move in disputed areas.

Grigoriadis suggests that Turkey and Greece could focus on restoring historical monuments of each other's cultures to further improve ties.

The outcome of Mitsotakis's visit will be closely watched, as it tests the durability of the friendship initiative between Greece and Turkey. Success in addressing disputes and fostering cooperation will have broader implications for regional stability and cooperation.