Athens, Greece – On Thursday, the foreign minister of Greece announced that the nation has built a foundation of trust with Turkey, just ahead of an upcoming visit from Turkey’s foreign minister. This meeting comes as both countries aim to reduce tensions that have developed over the years.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to meet with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, on Friday, as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to tackle the complex and enduring conflicts that have plagued their relationship. Among the major issues under discussion are maritime boundary disputes that have put a significant strain on relations between these two NATO allies for decades.

In an interview with Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper, Gerapetritis stated, “Step by step, we have achieved a level of trust so that we can discuss issues with sincerity and prevent crises.” This comment underscores the ongoing efforts to facilitate honest dialogue between the two nations.

The upcoming talks will follow a series of meaningful discussions that took place between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which formed part of a broader initiative aimed at mending ties initiated last year.

Greek officials are likely to express their concerns regarding an increase in illegal immigration, as Greece has noted a rise in arrivals recently. Additionally, although there are significant differences regarding the situation in Israel, both foreign ministers are expected to consider ways to enhance regional stability during their discussions.

These meetings will pave the way for a high-level cooperation council between Greece and Turkey that is planned to take place in Ankara, Turkey, in early 2025.