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No big fixes, just talks: Greek PM Mitsotakis heads to Türkiye

President Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pose after a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
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President Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pose after a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
February 11, 2026 01:32 AM GMT+03:00

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to arrive in Türkiye for high-level talks on Feb. 11, with both sides signaling that long-standing disputes will remain on the table but are unlikely to produce concrete outcomes during this round of meetings, reports suggest.

Despite unresolved tensions between Ankara and Athens, officials indicate the visit will center on cooperation areas seen as easier to advance, particularly in trade and environmental coordination, rather than core sovereignty disputes.

Ankara calls for full-scope dialogue

Officials and media reports from both countries say there is no expectation of a breakthrough on structural disagreements, especially those linked to the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to a report by Turkish news outlet t24.com.tr, citing Greek media, Mitsotakis is arriving with a limited "Ankara package" centered on cooperation areas seen as easier to negotiate. Turkish officials are expected to emphasize continued dialogue and practical cooperation rather than seeking final-status solutions.

Ruling party spokesperson Omer Celik said after a party executive meeting this week that "We can resolve all our problems at the table," and added that the militarization of islands that should remain demilitarized produces negative consequences. He also said turning bilateral issues into broader European Union disputes does not help resolution and that diplomacy should be expanded rather than replaced by threats.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks at a joint press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks at a joint press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. (AA Photo)

Focus on keeping channels open

According to Greek positions reflected in media coverage, Athens views the main legal dispute with Türkiye as the delimitation of the continental shelf in the Aegean Sea and the related exclusive economic zone boundaries. Greek officials signal that sovereignty-related matters will not be open for negotiation.

Reports say Mitsotakis’ main goal is to keep communication channels open and prevent disagreements from turning into direct tension, while seeking progress in economic and environmental cooperation areas.

The Cyprus question remains one of the most persistent conflict areas between the two sides. Expectations had risen for movement on confidence-building measures after a leadership change in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but no comprehensive settlement steps have followed.

The Turkish Cypriot leadership continues to call for political equality and a timetable-based negotiation model, while the Greek Cypriot side has not accepted that framework.

On the same day as the Ankara visit, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman is scheduled to meet U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to present his position after unsuccessful talks with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

February 11, 2026 01:32 AM GMT+03:00
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