Greek Defense Minister visits Türkiye as tensions ease
Written byTimes Magazine
Greece's defense minister announced on Thursday that he will visit neighboring Turkey next week as part of an effort to defuse tensions between the two NATO members, which have long and frequent unrest. dispute.
Nikos Panagiotopoulos told reporters in Athens that he will visit the quake-hit areas with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in early February.
A wave of support from Greece to help its neighbor last month led to a de-escalation of disputes centered on borders and oil rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
"My partner suggested that I visit the earthquake-affected areas. The goal was to send an iconic message,” Panagiotopoulos said in an interview with the Greek private TV channel Mega.
“The de-escalation in bilateral relations between Greece and Türkiye is now clear. It is our country's wish that this de-escalation has lasting characteristics.
After the earthquake, Greece and Turkey resumed high-level meetings, including talks involving senior diplomats on the so-called agenda initiatives. active efforts to promote trade and develop other cooperation in non-disputed areas.
The devastating February 6 earthquake in southern Türkiye killed about 50,000 people in the country and neighboring Syria.
Panagiotopoulos will travel to Turkey on Tuesday and visit the southern province of Hatay, one of the areas hardest hit by the quake, Turkish officials said.
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