Erdoğan visit to Athens ends up good and reminds us not to take hostile rhetoric too seriously*

*Well, I should add Erdoğan’s hostile rhetoric here:)

Here is the summary of events:

During his visit to Athens, President Erdogan visited the Turkish Embassy in Athens accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Treasury and Finance[1]. President Erdogan also signed a friendship accord with Greece, saying that the two countries could provide “an example to the world”[5]. He stated that Turkey and Greece do not need the involvement of any third parties to resolve their mutual problems and disagreements[3]. During his visit, Turkey and Greece signed more than a dozen cooperation deals on trade, energy, and education and announced a road map for future high-level consultations aimed at avoiding provocations[4]. Erdogan also said that Turkey wants to develop cooperation with Greece on nuclear energy and that Mitsotakis was “warm” to the idea[4]. Erdogan’s visit was seen as a sign of the significance of improving relations between Turkey and Greece[5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/150477/president-erdogan-visits-turkish-embassy-in-athens-
[2] https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/speeches-statements/558/150452/president-erdogan-to-visit-greece
[3] https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/no-3rd-parties-needed-to-solve-ankara-athens-problems-erdogan
[4] https://www.dailysabah.com/business/energy/turkiye-greece-could-cooperate-on-nuclear-energy-erdogan
[5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/erdogan-hails-new-era-of-friendship-with-greece-during-historic-visit-to-athens

Before his visit to Athens, President Erdogan’s rhetoric towards Greece was hostile and fueled tensions in the Aegean region[2][5]. Erdogan had threatened Greece, saying “We may come suddenly one night”[5]. However, during his visit to Athens, Erdogan signed a friendship accord with Greece and hailed a “new era” of friendship between the two countries[3]. Erdogan also stated that Turkey and Greece do not need the involvement of any third parties to resolve their mutual problems and disagreements[3]. The visit was seen as a sign of the significance of improving relations between Turkey and Greece[5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1218926/erdogan-rhetoric-indicative-of-difficulties-ahead/
[2] https://www.ft.com/content/82e279b8-e1fe-40b8-923d-1dfddec670f1
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/erdogan-hails-new-era-of-friendship-with-greece-during-historic-visit-to-athens
[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/6/greece-turkey-try-to-reset-their-relationship-after-years-of-hostility
[5] https://greekreporter.com/2022/09/03/erdogan-threatens-greece-we-may-come-suddenly-one-night/

Upbeat Turkish media reception over Erdogan visit | eKathimerini.com

eKathimerini.com

Every major Turkish TV channel broadcast the conference in its entirety and showed particular interest on the topics of handling illegal