Meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan in Istanbul concludes [pics]

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis concluded a luncheon meeting in his honor by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.

The Sunday luncheon was at the Turkish presidential mansion on the Asian side of Istanbul and lasted nearly two hours (from 13:00 Athens time).

Mitsotakis earlier attended the Divine Liturgy led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Phanar. He will meet with Bartholomew at 16:15 Athens time at the Sismanoglio Hall.

The Greek PM was invited to Istanbul by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy (the first Sunday of Lent) in Phanar with him, and on the occasion the Greek premier was also invited by Turkey’s president Erdogan to a luncheon in his honor.

Greek PM Mitsotakis meeting Turkish President Erdogan under the shadow of Ukraine war

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday, in a meeting of particular usefulness under current developments and the continuing war of Russia in Ukraine, as government sources noted.

Mitsotakis was invited by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy (the first Sunday of Lent) in Phanar with him, and on the occasion the Greek premier also invited by Turkey’s president Erdogan to a luncheon.

According to amna, government sources said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has dramatically altered the state of security in Europe, and has brought the explicit condemnation of the international community against any form of expansionism and revisionism. Under the current security stage, Greece and Turkey carry a particular responsibility in ensuring stability in the East Mediterranean and NATO’s southeastern flank, they added.

A meeting with realistic and measured expectations

Mitsotakis himself had recently said that he has “realistic and measured expectations of (today’s) meeting,” as he did not expect that disagreements with Turkey will be resolved at this meeting. Greece reiterates that Turkish demands on a series of issues are known and rejected at all levels and at every opportunity, while Greece’s positions are clear as well, the sources said.

“But disagreeing does not mean we should not be talking,” they added, as “communication channels should remain open at all levels and tension deescalated.” In addition, as the government noted, there are issues on the so-called positive agenda between the two countries that can move ahead and improve the climate between the two countries, to the benefit of both peoples.

PM’s schedule today in Istanbul

PM Mitsotakis is currently attending the Divine Liturgy led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Phanar, and at 13:00 (Athens time) will be attending a luncheon in his honor by President Erdogan at the presidential mansion.

At 16:15 (Athens time) Mitsotakis will meet with Bartholomew at the Sismanoglio Hall, before returning to Athens.