Greek–Turkish relations

We knew from the start that the calm interlude in Greek-Turkish relations would not last forever. It was a careful but temporary agreement that will expire after the elections are completed in Greece and Turkey. Now, we see Ankara slowly returning to an aggressive rhetoric.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has expressed his hope that Turkey will relinquish its revisionist aspirations and actively participate in a meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving lingering disputes with Greece. 

While individuals may not necessarily have a decisive role in shaping and exercising a state's politics, in the case of Turkey, due to poor institutions and the overconcentration of power in the Ak Saray, or the White Palace, Recep Tayyip Erdogan wields significant influence in foreign policy.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Athens suburb of Zografou on Monday, where he sent a stern message that Albania's European prospects are entirely dependent on it respecting the rights of the Greek ethnic minority in that country.

The message coming out of Athens after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said via Kathimerini on Thursday that he wants good relations with Greece was that Athens' intentions after the elections to hold discussions with Ankara and any president of Turkey remain sincere, without, however, cultivating naive expectations that Turkey's foreign policy will change in the long run.

There are encouraging signs of progress in Greek-Turkish relations, according to the German Chancellery's Foreign and Security Policy Adviser Jens Ploetner. Speaking to Kathimerini as he attended the eighth edition of the Delphi Economic Forum, the former German ambassador to Athens stresses that Berlin is ready to facilitate bilateral contacts "if so wished by the parties."

The return to provocative statements by Turkish officials after the lull in tensions since the February earthquakes is being attributed in Athens to the election campaign in the neighboring country.

Athens on Tuesday responded to fresh provocations from Ankara, dismissing recent comments by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as serving a domestic political agenda as Turkey heads to general elections on May 14.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias welcomes the recent thaw in Greek-Turkish relations but reiterates that Athens remains cautious.

The chairperson of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has reiterated his opposition to the sale of F-16 fighters to Turkey, saying "Turkey has not done enough to be rewarded in this way."

"I continue to be against the sale of F-16s," Senator Bob Menendez told state broadcaster ERT, adding that the Erdogan government needs to stop its belligerent behavior towards Greece.