Sawt Falasteen - Greek PM to visit Turkey in quest for better relations

After decades of tensions, occasionally broken by brief periods of reconciliation, the day-long visit follows a trip by Erdogan to Greece in December and marks a new phase in their relations, diplomats said.

In an interview published Sunday in Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Erdogan said talks would focus on "resolving problems" between the neighbours.

"It falls to us to calm relations between the two countries... to ensure that peace and tranquillity reign forever on both sides of the Aegean Sea," the Turkish leader said.

He added he wished to "raise the level of bilateral relations to a new level".

Mitsotakis echoed Erdogan's sentiment in an interview with Turkish newspaper Milliyet published on Sunday, saying he wanted to "move forward on a constructive path".

"We are not enemies, we are neighbours," he said, listing "shared challenges" including migrant flows in the Aegean.

In December, the regional rivals -- divided over the island of Cyprus and dealing with migration through their respective waters -- signed a declaration calling for "friendly and good neighbourly relations, recognising the importance of a mutual respect and peaceful coexistence".

But this appeasement, helped also by solidarity after an earthquake killed more than 50,000 in southeastern Turkey in February 2023, has been undermined by Turkey converting another former Byzantine church into a mosque.

After four years of restoration, the former Kariye Orthodox church in Istanbul re-opened as a mosque on May 6.

The 2020 decision to convert the church came after Muslim services resumed at the 6th-century former Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Sophia. The landmark building had been a museum since 1935.

The changes were seen as part of Erdogan's efforts to galvanise his more conservative and nationalist supporters.

"There's no shortage of mosques in the city. That is no way to treat cultural patrimony," Mitsotakis said a week ago, although he has also said that "channels of conversation must remain open."

Mitsotakis told Greek television station Alpha TV on Saturday that he will use Monday's talks to push Erdogan to "reverse" Kariye's conversion.

- 'Provocation' -

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis last Monday called the move a "provocation" but reiterated that "Athens is seeking as long a period of calm as possible in Greek-Turkish relations."

Last December's meeting did lead to some breakthroughs, such as new special visas for Turks to visit Greek islands near the Turkish coast. That has led to a tripling of Turkish visitors.

And Erdogan has not repeated any of his earlier threats to invade Greek islands to prevent their supposed militarisation -- threats that led the US Congress to block deliveries of F-16 fighters to Turkey.

That veto was lifted in January, at the same time as the United States approved the delivery of F-35s to Greece.

Disagreements remain over Cyprus, which since Turkey's military intervention in 1974 has been divided into the internationally recognised state of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey.

Turkey and Greece have also struggled to cooperate on migration. The seas around both countries are used by migrants from Asia and Africa trying to reach Europe.

O.Salim--SF-PST