Leaders preparing for Ankara summit

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Brussels on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for a pivotal summit between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The leaders are expected to meet in Ankara in late January or early February as part of the High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC), a key mechanism for advancing bilateral dialogue and cooperation.

During the Brussels meeting, held on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Gerapetritis and Fidan discussed the HLCC’s preparation, emphasizing the need to sustain recent momentum in political dialogue and a “positive agenda.”

Both ministers stressed the importance of restraint and de-escalation in bilateral relations, echoing the ongoing diplomatic push to reset ties between the neighboring nations.

The two officials are also spearheading a joint Greek-Turkish initiative within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This collaboration will formalize the nomination of Turkey’s Feridun Sinirlioglu and Greece’s Mania Telalian for senior OSCE roles.

The OSCE effort required months of diplomacy, with Athens and Nicosia aligning positions to overcome potential hurdles.

Greece has also reaffirmed its support for Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos’ candidacy for the OSCE presidency in 2027.

Energy cooperation remains another focal point, with Greece underscoring its commitment to the GSI electrical interconnection project linking Greece and Cyprus.

While tensions persist over territorial waters, recent seabed surveys south of Kasos and Karpathos conducted by the Italian vessel Ievoli Relume signal continued progress.

The Brussels meeting also touched on broader regional crises.

Gerapetritis advocated for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and progress toward a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. On Ukraine, he called for a resolution respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, in line with international law.

As preparations continue for the HLCC summit in Ankara, the series of high-level meetings suggests a cautious but deliberate effort by both nations to recalibrate relations.

The coming months will test whether this rapprochement can yield lasting results amid enduring disputes.

Source: pagenews.gr