4 days ago
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There will be a meeting between two NATO countries on May 13.
Turkey and Greece are about to take a new initiative to end years of enmity. Both the countries will try to find a solution to the 50 year old border dispute by establishing a five-month friendship. For this, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will go to Turkey on Monday (May 13).
Mitsotakis will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There will be discussions between the two on increasing cooperation in the areas of maritime boundaries, trade and energy. All this is happening at a time when there are differences between the two countries due to the Israel-Hamas war. Turkey is openly supporting Hamas, while Greece supports Israel.
Last week, Mitsotakis said that we (Greece) are always in favor of talks with Turkey. Turkey also wants to have good relations with us. This is for the benefit of both the countries. He said that even if we do not reach an agreement, the avenues of dialogue between the two countries should always remain open.
In December 2023, both the countries had again talked about improving relations.
What is the dispute between the two countries?
There is ongoing tension between Greece and Turkey regarding the Aegean Sea. Apart from this, there is also a dispute between the two NATO countries regarding the division of Cyprus island. This dispute is from 1974. When Turkish fighters attacked the island in response to a Greek-backed military coup. Later the Turks named the captured area the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
There was a long history of hostility between the Greeks and Turks, even before Turkey became a country. India has always supported Greece on this issue. At the same time, Greece also supports India on the Kashmir issue. Greece is also a supporter of India’s permanent seat in the UNSC.
What efforts have both of them made so far for friendship?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Greece in December last year to improve relations. During this, both the countries talked about promoting tourism along with import and export, educational tours. In return, Greece has given on-the-spot visas to Turkish citizens to travel this summer. With this visa, Turkish people will be able to visit 10 islands of Greece.
On this, the Prime Minister of Greece had said that this will strengthen the economy between the two countries. It will also bring peace between the two countries. But only a few weeks ago, the Turkish President announced the demolition of a Byzantine-era church in Istanbul to build a mosque, after which the Orthodox Church of Greece criticized it.
India penetrates Turkey-Pak alliance through Greece
Turkey supports Pakistan while going against India on the issue of Kashmir. Not only this, Pakistan and Iran are rapidly increasing defense partnership. Turkey delivered Bayraktar TB2 drones to Pakistan in April 2023. This drone has proved its capability in the Russia-Ukraine war. Pakistan getting this drone is no less than a threat to India.
Indian Air Force Chief VR Chaudhari had gone to Greece in August last year to break the Pak-Turkey alliance. Meanwhile, talks were held in both the countries to work on drone technology. In fact, considering the threat of drones, Turkey’s enemy Greece is now ready to support India.
Greece can share important data related to the radar of this drone with India. Due to the small size of Baryakataar drones, it is difficult to detect them on radar. In such a situation, the information shared with India will be very important. In return, India can give BrahMos to Greece.
During an interview, Atul Dinkar, CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace, had told that India has signed the first contract to sell BrahMos with the Defense Ministry of Philippines. Apart from this, many NATO countries have expressed interest in purchasing it.
