Turkey says disputes with Greece ‘not insurmountable’ as Athens calls for lifting of war threat

Turkey and Greece Signal Diplomatic Thaw While Key Disputes Remain Unresolved

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism Wednesday that longstanding maritime disputes between Turkey and Greece can be resolved, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for Ankara to lift its decades-old threat of war over territorial waters.

The statements came during high-level talks in Ankara aimed at maintaining dialogue between the NATO allies, whose relations have been marked by periods of intense hostility interspersed with attempts at reconciliation.

“In our meeting, we once again openly and sincerely addressed our positions regarding the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean,” Erdogan said following discussions with Mitsotakis. “While the current issues are complex, they are not insurmountable under international law. All that is needed is good faith, constructive dialogue and a will to find a solution.”

The two Mediterranean neighbors have been locked in territorial disputes for decades, with tensions periodically escalating to near-conflict. As recently as 2020, warships from both countries faced off in the eastern Mediterranean during a dispute over energy exploration rights, highlighting how quickly disagreements can escalate to dangerous levels.

One of the most sensitive issues remains Greece’s right under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to extend its territorial waters from six to twelve nautical miles. Turkey’s parliament declared in 1995 that such a move would constitute a “casus belli” – a cause for war. This declaration has hung over bilateral relations for nearly three decades.

Addressing this longstanding threat, Mitsotakis suggested the time had come for its removal: “This is why I believe, in the same spirit as the positive experience that has transpired, that it is time now to lift every threat, formal and substantive, in our relations. If not now, then when?”

The maritime disputes extend beyond territorial waters to include competing claims over continental shelves, airspace, and energy resources. Turkey has expressed particular concern about Greece’s growing defense and energy partnerships with Israel and Cyprus, viewing these alliances as attempts to isolate Ankara and diminish its influence in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Cyprus issue remains another significant obstacle to full normalization. The island has been divided since Turkey’s military intervention in 1974, following a coup attempt by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece. While the international community has long supported a federal solution, Turkey has shifted position in recent years, advocating instead for a two-state solution that has gained little international traction.

Despite these ongoing differences, Wednesday’s talks resulted in concrete progress in other areas. The leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements covering investment, maritime trade, economic cooperation, disaster response, and cultural exchanges. These accords are part of the High-Level Cooperation Council, a mechanism established to improve bilateral relations despite territorial disagreements.

Erdogan also suggested that Turkey’s participation in emerging European defense initiatives would serve both countries’ interests. This statement comes as Greece has opposed Turkey’s involvement in the Security Action for Europe program, a initiative designed to enhance European military capabilities, citing the ongoing threat of war over territorial waters.

The meeting in Ankara represents the latest chapter in the complex relationship between two countries that share deep historical ties but have frequently found themselves at odds over sovereignty issues. While full resolution of territorial disputes remains distant, the willingness of both leaders to engage in direct dialogue signals a potential reduction in immediate tensions.

Regional analysts note that economic pressures facing both nations and broader geopolitical considerations, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, have created incentives for Greece and Turkey to manage their differences more pragmatically. Whether this diplomatic momentum can be sustained beyond the current leadership remains an open question in a relationship characterized by cycles of cooperation and confrontation.