Erdogan and Mitsotakis set to convene in New York during United Nations' periphery
In the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are scheduled to meet on Tuesday. This high-level diplomatic encounter comes amidst heightened tensions in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The meeting follows Greece's launch of military exercises in the region, prompting Ankara to issue a second Navtex (Naval Telex). The leaders' meeting could help maintain the "calmer waters" atmosphere of recent months, but no major breakthroughs are anticipated.
One of the key points of discussion is expected to be the Cyprus issue. Despite efforts to normalize ties, disagreements persist between Turkey and Greece over maritime boundaries, energy rights, and competing strategic initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean. Significant progress on the Cyprus issue is unlikely before the upcoming elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed intent to restart negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue, despite the collapse of talks at Crans-Montana in 2017. Guterres is also scheduled to meet Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides on Sept. 27.
Ankara has expressed concern over developments that it says favor Greece, including U.S. energy company Chevron's reported interest in offshore blocks south of Crete. Greece, on the other hand, has criticized Turkey's designation of marine protected areas as unilateral.
Both countries maintain high-level diplomatic channels. Other Greek-Turkish contacts are possible during the week, including a likely meeting between Foreign Ministers George Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan.
Discussions may also touch on a possible electricity interconnection project between Turkey and Greece. However, analysts say these unresolved issues, combined with military posturing, leave the region's stability fragile and the diplomatic process sensitive.
In recent weeks, both countries have conducted military exercises. Greece recently conducted an unscheduled "Delta Force" drill, while Turkey carried out four separate exercises in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, including one with Egypt.
Despite these challenges, Turkey and Greece continue to face disputes over maritime rights and energy exploration. Turkey has designated marine protected areas off the Northern Aegean and the Mediterranean coast between Fethiye and Kaş, emphasizing its defense of maritime sovereignty. Ankara has reiterated that 23 Greek islands remain permanently demilitarized, and no military activity would be permitted in their territorial waters.
A Turkish vessel named Piri Reis, which was the subject of a previous Navtex, was observed in Izmir Bay late Thursday, indicating that diplomatic channels remain active. As the leaders prepare to meet, the focus remains on finding a peaceful resolution to these long-standing issues.
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