Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Athens on November 8 for talks with Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Gerapetritis, as diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries continue to improve.

According to diplomatic sources, the discussions will focus on further enhancing bilateral ties and will review preparations for the upcoming Türkiye-Greece high-level cooperation council, which is scheduled for early 2025. The ministers are also expected to finalize dates for the next meetings under the Political Dialogue and Positive Agenda Joint Action Plan.

In recent years, Türkiye and Greece have made significant strides in strengthening their relationship, largely due to intensified dialogue and a mutual desire to resolve issues in the Aegean Sea through diplomacy. High-level exchanges between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in 2023 and 2024 have played a pivotal role in advancing these efforts. This led to the announcement of the Athens Declaration, a set of principles aimed at improving bilateral relations.

The two countries have since launched joint initiatives in various sectors, including transportation, tourism, trade, maritime affairs, and energy. Additionally, both leaders have expressed a shared goal of increasing trade volume between the nations from the current $6 billion to $10 billion.

On the ongoing Aegean disputes, Türkiye has emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving issues and has indicated its willingness to enter negotiations with Greece. However, Greece has focused its stance on the territorial waters controversy and has refrained from addressing other contentious issues raised by Türkiye, including the militarization of Aegean islands, airspace disputes, and broader sovereignty concerns. (ILKHA)