A year after their last meeting again in New York and in a world completely different after the election of Trump, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan They meet today at the “House of Turkey”, with their appointment scheduled to take about 30 minutes.
No one can certainly specify whether the conversation can get more, given that the debate is being conducted by translation, but the first Greek -Turkish summary after last September is undoubtedly an important milestone for geopolitical developments.
On the side of the two leaders will be the two foreign ministers George Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidanwho meet with greater regularity, both diplomatic advisers Milton Nikolaidis and Akif Chagati Kilits. As even an inexperienced observer may perceive, The environment in Greek -Turkish relations has changed. From the highest expectations of the previous period we have shifted to a controlled tension, as Turkey is reinstalled in several fields and at the same time seeking to enter the “window” into European equipment programs, such as Safe.
To this end, the Greek veto is a given, as long as Turkey maintains the threat of war, Casus Belli, against Greece. However, Mr Mitsotakis does not want an environment of tension with Mr Erdogan, hence the appointment. On the other hand, as government sources acknowledge, Greek -Turkish Relationships have no dynamic to get to the core of the Greek -Turkish difference for the continental shelf. And in this scenario, however, Mr Mitsotakis is of the opinion that we should not always be “in red” and estimates that many of her reactions Turkey derive from Greek mobility, with marine spatial planningthe sea parksbut also the movements in energy with latest episodes the licenses in Chevron But also the re -enactment with Western Libya, which was considered by Ankara approximately as a “protectorate”.
Dialogue, not pseudo -patriotism
Today’s meeting remains to be seen whether he may have “by them”, though Mr Mitsotakis is expected to once again expose the Greek positions to the Turkish president. “This government has chosen to” raise “Greece with policies that produce results, has chosen the dialogue with the neighboring country, with Turkey and not a conflicting logic of pseudo -patriotism that” lowers “Greece,” cuts “it, and has chosen, in the aftermath of those who have done so, Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis underlined yesterday in briefing.
At the same time, the government wants to send the message that it is not concerned only by the announcement of Erdogan-Trump’s rendezvous on the 25th of the month, with Mr Marinakis comparing the country’s image and position with that of 2019 and pointing out that it is radically different.
Appointment with Christodoulides
Prior to his meeting with Mr. Erdogan, however, Mr. Mitsotakis will have another important meeting with the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulideswhere all the issues will be raised on the table, with the first and foremost of the project for the gsi cable, Greece-Cyprus-Israel electric interconnection. Nicosia’s rhetoric is admittedly confusing to Athens and Mr. Mitsotakis wants to clarify the issue with the Cypriot president, with whom he has a close relationship.
In other words, today’s Contact Program of Mr. Mitsotakis includes Azeri President Mr. Aliyevthe president of Sierra Leone Yulu Maada Biothe president of Yemen Rasad al-Alimi and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Late in the evening, early in the morning of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis will give the present at the reception quoted by President Trump for leaders arriving in New York for the General Assembly. of the UN.