**Ankara, Turkey** – In a significant diplomatic overture, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan convened in Ankara on Wednesday for the Sixth Supreme Council of Turkey-Greece Cooperation. The summit, the first of its kind in nearly two years, signalled a concerted effort by both nations to recalibrate their often-fraught relationship, drawing inspiration from the conciliatory spirit of the "Declaration of Athens" penned in December of the previous year. The leaders underscored a mutual commitment to fostering neighbourly relations and ensuring peaceful coexistence, prioritising sustained dialogue and the avoidance of any escalatory actions.
The high-level meeting aimed to solidify a more constructive bilateral agenda, moving beyond the long-standing territorial disputes that have historically cast a shadow over the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. A key economic objective reiterated was the ambitious target of elevating bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2030, a substantial increase from the $7 billion mark achieved in 2025. This economic imperative, coupled with a notable reduction in irregular migration flows – down by 60% in the preceding year – provided a tangible foundation for cooperation. The successful implementation of a tripartite mechanism involving Bulgaria to manage migration was highlighted as a testament to the potential for effective joint action on shared challenges.
However, the summit could not entirely sidestep the deeply entrenched disagreements concerning maritime boundaries, specifically the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Despite these persistent issues, both leaders expressed a readiness to seek resolutions, emphatically stating their willingness to explore avenues within the framework of international law. President Erdoğan articulated a belief that these differences were not inherently insurmountable, provided there was "good will, constructive dialogue and the will for a solution.” This sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, who, in a pointed public address, urged the complete cessation of all threats, both overt and implicit, within bilateral interactions, posing the rhetorical question, "If not now, when?" The potential for recourse to international arbitration, grounded in the law of the sea, was also a subject of discussion, indicating a shared, albeit cautious, openness to external legal frameworks.
The delicate issue of Cyprus also featured on the agenda. Greece, as expected, reaffirmed its established position, advocating for a resolution strictly within the parameters of United Nations frameworks. While the summit’s outcomes represent a positive shift towards a more diplomatic engagement, the long-term impact remains contingent on the sustained translation of this renewed commitment into tangible policy shifts and consistent behaviour. The agreement to hold a future Supreme Council meeting in Athens signifies a commitment to maintaining momentum, but the true test will lie in the practical de-escalation of tensions and the genuine pursuit of mutually beneficial solutions to the complex geopolitical and territorial puzzles that define the relationship between these two neighbouring nations. The business communities of both Greece and Turkey were also acknowledged for their role in bolstering economic ties, underscoring the broader societal implications of this diplomatic rapprochement.