The meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdoğan took place in an international environment marked by heightened fluidity. The war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, energy realignments, and the broader reshaping of geopolitical balances together form a new, demanding framework. In this context, dialogue is not a sign of retreat; it is an act of responsibility.
Greek–Turkish relations do not develop in a vacuum. They are directly influenced by what is happening around us and by Turkey’s strategic objectives, as it seeks to upgrade its role from the Middle East to the Caucasus and the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, the warming of EU–Turkey relations adds another element to the overall equation. Europe recognizes Ankara’s geostrategic importance. In this new environment, Greece holds a clear advantage: it is a stable, institutionally consistent, and reliable European pillar in the region.
Dialogue—even, or especially, when conditions are unfavorable—is necessary. Its absence creates vacuums that are often filled by tension and suspicion. However, dialogue must be conducted without illusions. Greece does not negotiate matters of national sovereignty. The only issue that can be the subject of discussion is the delimitation of maritime zones—the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The rest, however much they may be amplified in the public sphere, are not part of Greece’s agenda.
If, and only if, at some point the discussion is brought to The Hague, this will require a shared legal basis. The International Law of the Sea cannot be applied selectively. Without acceptance of common rules, there can be no meaningful prospect of a formal agreement to submit the dispute to adjudication.
This particular meeting was not about reaching a settlement, but about managing the situation and keeping the channels of communication open. In an era of multiple uncertainties, composure, institutional consistency, and national self-confidence constitute the only safe strategy. In that sense, the meeting was useful and rightly took place.