Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have reportedly agreed to hold a meeting at the upcoming NATO summit, just a day after Mitsotakis’s electoral victory. This development comes as a positive sign of improved bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey, following years of escalating tensions, particularly in the Aegean region.

The phone call between Mitsotakis and Erdogan, in which the Turkish president congratulated the Greek prime minister on his election win, signifies a notable shift in the political discourse between the two countries. Previously, the leaders had not been on speaking terms, highlighting the strained relationship. The scheduled meeting at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11 and 12 indicates a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.

Both sides confirmed the phone call, with the Turkish Presidency’s Communication Directorate releasing an official statement expressing that: “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Mitsotakis on his success in the election and wished the new period to be beneficial for Turkey/Greece relations. During communication, It was noted that the presence of strong governments in both countries is an opportunity for the future of bilateral relations.“

With tensions high in recent months, exacerbated by the earthquake diplomacy that followed the tremors in Turkey, the leaders’ desire to meet had been postponed due to elections in both nations. However, the upcoming meeting may mark a turning point in bilateral relations.

The last reported in-person meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan took place in March of the previous year. Since then, their communication had been virtually non-existent until Mitsotakis reached out to offer condolences and support after Turkey was struck by earthquakes in February 2023. When the leaders convene in Vilnius, they are likely to address critical issues such as military and commercial navigation in the Aegean, the situation in Cyprus, and the rights of the Muslim minority in Thrace. The broader geopolitical landscape, including the security crisis in Russia and the conflict in Ukraine, will also likely feature in their discussions.