Thessaloniki summit in Greece expected to be important leap in Ankara-Athens ties: Turkish President Erdogan

By Merve Berker and Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA/ ISTANBUL (AA) – The Thessaloniki summit is expected to be an important leap in Turkish-Greek relations, as the two countries' foreign ministers will take the necessary steps and make preparations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

In an interview with press representatives in the US, Erdogan said both Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and he share the same approach to distracting the "distressed air" in the Aegean region.

Concerning the Thessaloniki summit, he emphasized that it is Ankara's top priority.

“Thessaloniki summit will be an important leap” in bilateral relations between the two countries, he underlined.

He also noted that the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers will make the necessary preparations for the summit to be held on Dec. 7.

Both countries have experienced natural disasters lately, Erdogan said, adding that they have been the most important factor in bringing Türkiye and Greece closer together in terms of lending a helping hand when needed.

High-level contacts, which appear to be increasing, have also supported the positive atmosphere between Ankara and Athens, he highlighted.

Expressing hope that the Thessaloniki summit will add more fuel to the developing relations, the Turkish president said both countries have to avoid steps and discourses that would harm the “trust environment.”

“We have to take steps together” for this process to progress with peace, he added.