Philenews

"Spring" in Greek-Turkish Relations, but with Many Thorns

Published February 17, 2026, 12:17
"Spring" in Greek-Turkish Relations, but with Many Thorns

The meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on February 11, 2026, was positively assessed by both sides. The two leaders co-chaired the High-Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Turkey, with emphasis on developing trade exchanges and maintaining calm in the Aegean Sea. The meeting focused on "low politics" agreements, avoiding thorny issues such as maritime borders and the Cyprus issue. Erdoğan referred to the Muslim minority in Thrace, receiving a response from Mitsotakis. Although no progress was made on significant issues, the meeting sends messages of cooperation to the European Union and the United States. The European Commission expressed its desire to strengthen relations with Turkey, including upgrading the customs union and its participation in the SAFE program.