2024-05-10 17:37:57
The two sides are trying to finalize the details of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis‘ visit to Ankara on May 13, when he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Given that Mr. Mitsotakis’ visit to Ankara is in return for the one made by Mr. Erdogan in Athens last December, it will not have the character of an official visit. This means that the protocol will not include the laying of wreaths at the Atatürk Mausoleum, however even this type of visit has quite a few ritualistic elements on the part of Turkey (line-up of prayers etc.).
The Middle East
Rituals and other protocol issues aside, the agenda is indeed full. The geopolitical turmoil, centered on the Middle East, has divided the world into camps.
Since Ankara has openly sided with Hamas, while Athens, albeit with reservations, supports Israel in the context of the strategic relationship that has developed, it is an element of concern for the staff of the Maximos Palace and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the turn who could take such a subject during the statements of the two leaders.
Moreover, yesterday Mr. Erdogan repeated his accusations against Israel and the West, speaking of “genocide committed by Israel against our brothers in Gaza”. Mr. Erdogan, in fact, described the students protesting at American universities as “conscientious” and said that “just because they support Palestine, deans and professors are fired and lynched.”
It examines what is ripe for discussion and possibly signed as a deliverable on May 13 (political protection, economic cooperation and return of looted objects).
It will be examined how the three channels of discussion (political dialogue, MoU and positive agenda) are progressing and, above all, if the conditions are ripe to open the most important issue, namely the delimitation of maritime zones.
It is estimated that after Ankara there is a “window” for two more meetings of the leaders, in July in Washington and, possibly, in September at the UN general assembly. Contacts at the level of political dialogue should be resumed in the interim.
It is expected to see how much the atmosphere has been burdened by issues such as marine parks, but also the proposals for the inclusion of the “Blue Homeland” in Turkey’s school textbooks.
It is obvious, as competent sources have said, that the inclusion of the “Blue Homeland” in school textbooks would blow up any rapprochement process, but since such a thing has not yet been decided, it is not going to be on the official agenda. Of course, everything can always be discussed in the four of the two leaders.
It is noted, however, that Ankara has announced the annual “Deniz Kurdu” aeronautical exercise, which will be held from May 7 to 18 in areas of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.
A little more, until May 30, the multinational exercise of amphibious operations “Efes 2024” will take place in the Sea of Marmara and around Izmir with the participation of 1,567 people from 49 countries, based on Turkish announcements. It is worth noting that these exercises have also been officially announced through the process of confidence building measures.