Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is visiting Athens on December 5-6 to meet with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. The Foreign Ministry’s official announcement regarding this visit says that it is the 3rd annual Greek-Turkish High-Level cooperation council between the governments of Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Davutoglu’s visit comes after Greece, Cyprus and Egypt signed the Cairo Declaration on Saturday, pledging to cooperate closely in a range of issues such as energy and to work closely in protecting security in the eastern Mediterranean.

The visit comes at a time of friction between Greece and Turkey following the entry of the Turkish Corvette Büyükada into Greece’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) last week. On Sunday, Turkish Navy Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu said he had been handed over new rules of engagement. The Greek side was quick to respond stating that the Greek side will act in the defense of Greek national interests.

The announcement also comes at a time when Turkey and Greece are at odds over the divided island of Cyprus. Peace talks to resolve the issue have stalled after Turkish seismic vessel Barbaros violated the EEZ of Cyprus.