Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a morning meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, aiming to find common ground between the two countries, with a primary focus on the delimitation of the continental shelf. The goal of this meeting is to foster a constructive climate for dialogue, even if disagreements persist.
The Pursuit of a Compromise
The discussions are taking place within a complex international context, and both sides seek to keep open the possibility for further negotiations. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Budapest, in an informal setting seen as a positive sign for bilateral relations. Gerapetritis expressed hope for a productive dialogue with his Turkish counterpart, underlining Greece’s commitment to constructive diplomatic engagement.
While the meeting carries the significant weight of addressing core issues in Greek-Turkish relations, it also underscores each side’s differing perspectives. Greece is focused solely on resolving the continental shelf issue and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), viewing this as the sole dispute eligible for resolution in international courts. Türkiye, however, favors a “holistic approach” to dialogue, arguing that a variety of “interconnected” issues—such as airspace, territorial waters, demilitarization of certain zones, and minority rights—should also be addressed.
Differing Stances on the Cyprus Issue
The Cyprus issue also looms in the background, with Greece and Cyprus advocating for a renewed, solution-oriented dialogue based on UN resolutions, while Türkiye favors a four-party conference format and questions the viability of reunification. This divergence reflects broader challenges but also signifies Greece’s and Cyprus’s determination to keep UN-backed resolutions central to the peace process.
Maintaining Diplomatic Stability
Athens prioritizes the preservation of a stable diplomatic climate, even if the talks face obstacles or deadlock over the issue of the continental shelf. The meeting will also cover bilateral relations, immigration, and other topics where the two countries have seen some productive cooperation. The two ministers are expected to make statements following their meeting, which will conclude with a lunch hosted by Gerapetritis, after which Fidan will visit the Turkish embassy in Athens for further discussions with local Turkish representatives.
