Mitsotakis-Erdogan Meeting: Worry beads, Loizos, and Greek-Turkish Relations

The Greek side assesses the meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara positively.

As reported by Chrysanthos Koseloglou, the Greek side highlights that the private meeting between the two leaders lasted 1.5 hours, during which they reviewed bilateral issues and discussed disagreements frankly.

During the dinner hosted by the Turkish President, Erdogan gifted Kyriakos Mitsotakis a string of worry beads (komboloi), while the band played Turkish songs and Manos Loizos.

Greek Ministers stated that there is mutual understanding and a positive signal to advance Greek-Turkish relations.

In the closed meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue of casus belli and Turkey's non-participation in the SAFE program. The Turkish President mentioned the benefits of Ankara's participation.

The joint declaration at the 6th High-Level Cooperation Council refers to the Athens declaration and signals the expansion of communication channels.

Despite tensions in the Aegean Sea and the Navtex, both sides wish to keep the channel open and handle bilateral issues without external interference.