Foreign Ministry

A shadow has been cast over the otherwise good Greek-American relationship by the US State Department's report on the state of human rights in Greece in 2023, where, among other things, there is reference to allegations of mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and to the previous year's complaints about the wiretapping case. 

Türkiye has reiterated its concerns that tension between Iran and Israel can turn into a permanent and wider conflict and recalled all the relevant parties to refrain from escalatory steps.

Ankara has criticized the European Union for linking Türkiye-EU ties to the Cyprus question, describing the move as another example of Brussels' lack of strategic vision on Türkiye and global developments.

Amidst the political discourse in Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov, leader of the GERB party, has asserted that GERB will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if Daniel Mitov is appointed as minister.

Senior Turkish and American diplomats have exchanged views on unfolding developments in the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral ties ahead of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's planned trip to Washington in early May.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with U.S. Under Secretary for Management John Bass at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in capital Ankara on Monday, according to the ministry.

The Islamic world should increase its efforts to stop the Israeli brutality against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, as Türkiye is ramping up its diplomatic push to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Türkiye put the Eswatini agreement on its agenda as part of its strategy to develop economic relations with African countries, which was implemented in 2003.

The Foreign Ministry opted for a mild response Wednesday to Turkish allegations that Greece is undermining the climate of relatively good relations, but officials increasingly believe that the Turkish government, partly due to domestic political pressure, may opt, at a time of its own choosing, to return to the period of high tension that prevailed from 2020 to 2023.

Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA, issued a statement Wednesday condemning Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement regarding Greek maritime parks. SYRIZA placed blame on the government "for the downgrading of Turkish provocations" and urged diplomatic action.