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> Politics

Mitsotakis–Erdoğan statements: “Time to remove every threat coming from the past,” said the Prime Minister regarding the casus belli (updated)

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara at around 2:20 p.m., one hour before his appointment with Erdogan

Newsroom February 11 02:55

Joint statements of Mitsotakis and Erdoğan concluded

Updated: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece is a “force for peace” and seeks sincere relations with its neighbors, aiming to build a future of peace, prosperity, and progress for both countries, following the path set by Eleftherios Venizelos and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He expressed hope to welcome Erdoğan to Greece at the next Cooperation Council. Mitsotakis also stated that Greece looks forward to the end of the war in Ukraine, supports a two-state solution, and rejects Israel’s annexation of the West Bank. While noting significant disagreements remain, particularly over maritime zone delimitation—which could be resolved through the Law of the Sea—he stressed the importance of removing threats in bilateral relations and respecting minority rights under the Treaty of Lausanne, encouraging minorities to act as bridges of friendship. Mitsotakis highlighted a series of new initiatives, including visa facilitation for Turkish visitors to Greek islands, improved cooperation on migration with a 60% reduction in flows in the eastern Aegean, continued efforts against human trafficking networks, and a bilateral trade goal of €10 billion. He concluded by noting that when disagreements arise, it is essential to avoid crises and tensions.

Updated: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that when disagreements arise, it is important not to escalate into crises and tensions. He noted the opportunity to make a comprehensive assessment of bilateral relations over the past two years, highlighting that the three pillars of the discussions were political dialogue, the political agenda, and confidence-building measures. On his part, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that he discussed with Mitsotakis issues regarding freedoms for Muslims in Western Thrace, the Gaza ceasefire, and the peace plan, while rejecting Israel’s decisions to expand into the West Bank. He emphasized that the issues between Greece and Turkey are not unsolvable under international law and welcomed the agreement with Mitsotakis to continue dialogue, strengthen mutual contacts, and make progress in resolving interconnected problems in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Updated: At 17:05, the 6th Supreme Council of Cooperation between Greece and Turkey began, after which Prime Ministers Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held joint statements. The Greek Prime Minister had arrived earlier in Ankara, around 14:20, where he was welcomed by the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism. During the meeting, seven cooperation agreements were signed, covering investment promotion, the establishment of a Thessaloniki – Izmir ferry line, collaboration between the foreign ministries within the framework of the Organization of Economic Cooperation of the Black Sea, earthquake preparedness, cultural cooperation, and technology and research. The private meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdoğan lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a comprehensive, wide-ranging discussion. Later, a dinner was held in honor of the Greek Prime Minister and his delegation.

Agreements between Greece and Turkey

According to reports, Athens and Ankara will sign the following agreements:

  • Cooperation in promoting investments
  • Encouragement of the creation of a ferry route between Thessaloniki and İzmir
  • Cooperation within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization between the foreign ministries
  • Cooperation between the two countries in earthquake preparedness
  • Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of culture
  • Scientific and technological cooperation between the Greek Ministry of Development and the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology

11/02/2026 17:00
What was agreed between the Minister of Development and his Turkish counterpart

The bilateral meeting between Takis Theodorikakos and his Turkish counterpart, Minister of Industry Mehmet Fetih Kasir, was held in a very positive atmosphere. According to reports, in addition to signing a joint declaration for the implementation of the cooperation program between the two countries in the fields of research and technology within the framework of the 6th Cooperation Council, it was also agreed to activate the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises, which had been signed at the fifth High Council.

Additionally, agreements were reached to sign memoranda of cooperation in the areas of metrology, certification, and startups.

Among other things, it was agreed that by summer the Turkish minister would visit Athens, and by September, Mr. Theodorikakos would visit Turkey.

Updated: At 17:30, they are expected to deliver joint statements, while later a dinner will follow in honor of the Greek Prime Minister and the Greek delegation.

The Greek Prime Minister arrived in Ankara at around 14:20, where he was welcomed at the airport by Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism.

Updated: Dinner in honor of the Greek Prime Minister and the Greek delegation

After the statements by Mitsotakis and Erdoğan, a dinner hosted by the President of Turkey will follow in honor of the Greek Prime Minister and the Greek delegation.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will also attend the dinner, following an invitation from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

11/02/2026 16:06

Chaos with punches between MPs in the Turkish parliament during the swearing-in of the new Justice and Interior ministers

A violent incident erupted in the plenary of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the swearing-in of Akın Gürlek as Justice Minister and Mustafa Çiftçi as Interior Minister, as MPs from the CHP and the ruling AKP came to blows.

Cumhurbaşkanımız @RTErdogan, Türkiye’ye ziyarette bulunan Yunanistan Başbakanı Kiryakos Miçotakis ile Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesinde bir araya geldi. pic.twitter.com/SF7DNkrSEe

— T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı (@tcbestepe) February 11, 2026

Updated: Brief exchanges took place between Greek and Turkish officials in Athens. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Shortly afterward, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Erdoğan exchanged greetings during a concise encounter, with Mitsotakis asking, “Hello, Mr. President. How are you?” to which Erdoğan replied, “Hello. Very well!” Notably, following their official statements, no questions were taken from the press.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a message of peace a few hours before he met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “Today we will host in our country the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis,” the Turkish president said.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara at around 2:20 p.m., one hour before his appointment with Erdogan. The prime minister was welcomed at the airport by Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, while his official reception will take place at the presidential palace.

“As we want peace and security for ourselves, as we want stability, development, and prosperity, we want the same for our neighbors and all brotherly countries,” the Turkish president said, arguing that the main objective of the country’s contacts—whether known or unknown, overt or covert—is for Turkey to contribute to peace in the region.

Yunanistan Başbakanı Sayın Kiryakos Miçotakis ‘i karşılayıp Ankara Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanımız Sayın Mansur Yavaş’ın hoşgeldiniz dileklerini ilettim. @mansuryavas06 @PrimeministerGR @TC_AtinaBE pic.twitter.com/WVcoy0ctZK

— Faruk Köylüoğlu (@KoyluogluFaruk) February 11, 2026

“Without any complexes, we talk with all actors and share our ideas and proposals with our interlocutors in a spirit of brotherhood,” he added.

The agreements to be signed

After the talks and joint statements conclude, some of the ministers will sign agreements or joint declarations with their Turkish counterparts.

According to information, Yiannis Kefalogiannis will sign a declaration of intent for cooperation on natural disasters, with an emphasis on earthquakes, while Takis Theodorikakos will sign a joint declaration with his counterpart on technology, innovation, and research, with a focus on biotechnology and agrotechnology, and with around 110 mature research projects.

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Two agreements will also be signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theocharis, who handles the positive agenda, including one concerning Enterprise Greece.

Finally, Kyriakos Pierrakakis is expected to discuss with his Turkish counterpart, Mehmet Şimşek, the prospects for increasing bilateral trade, which currently amounts to €5 billion and has the potential to reach as much as €10 billion.

In addition, Lina Mendoni will sign an agreement with her Turkish counterpart, who holds the portfolio of culture and tourism.

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