Greece–Turkey relations

There is mounting concern among commentators and analysts over the future of Greek-Turkish talks aimed at gradually normalizing relations between the two countries. This is especially so in light of the meeting that has been announced between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 7 in Thessaloniki.

Tensions flared in the Aegean Sea late on Oct. 30 when Greek coast guard units clashed with Turkish fishermen after their boats were allegedly dragged into Greek territorial waters by strong currents.

Over the past few years it seems that the island of Imvros, a Turkish island in the Aegean Sea with a historic Greek population, is experiencing what's been described by some as a small Greek renaissance, as some descendants of the Greeks who were largely displaced in the 1960s have begun trickling back.

Greece and Turkey have begun a comprehensive effort to normalize their relations. The road will not be easy and every step will carry the risk of unexpected developments, and even complete collapse.

The first page of a new, more substantive and, according to some, potentially more promising, chapter in Greek-Turkish relations will be written on Tuesday when the foreign ministers of the two countries meet in Ankara.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will travel to Ankara Tuesday to meet his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.

Greece's Coast Guard on Tuesday released a video showing the moment a boat carrying 22 migrants sank northeast of the island of Lesvos, where four people died on Monday.

A Coast Guard source said on Monday that the boat was spotted in Turkish territorial waters and the country's Coast Guard was notified without response.

The meeting of the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers, George Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan, next week in Ankara will be a test run for the next steps that will lead (or not) to a procedure for the drafting of an agreement to refer the Greek-Turkish maritime zone dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. 

Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, will visit Ankara on September 5, where he will hold talks with Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan.

The two ministers will discuss issues related to bilateral relations and regional development.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos expressed on Wednesday his support to those affected by the wildfires that have been raging for days across Greece, describing them as a "tragedy".