Following the escalation of a series of inflammatory statements in recent days, the first signs of a change of attitude from Ankara are visible. “We consider it important that the channels of communication remain open for resolving the problems with Greece,” Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told a news conference after the NATO Defense Ministers’ Summit.
“Focusing on a positive agenda and reducing tensions will contribute to both bilateral relations and regional co-operation,” Akar added, referring to the brief four-on-four he had with his Greek counterpart, Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos. , on the sidelines of the Summit.
It is noted that the meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Greece and Turkey lasted five minutes. Athens is in no hurry to draw conclusions about Turkey’s stance with the Maximos Palace determined to persevere on the path of internationalization of challenges.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis in June has two important “stations” in terms of the internationalization of Turkish tactics, as he is going to focus on Turkish revisionist rhetoric. The first “station” is in Brussels for the regular 27-day Summit.
European leaders will meet next week, with the Greek prime minister making it clear that he will not only raise the issue for discussion, but will call for a clear condemnation of Turkish actions through the text of conclusions.
The next “stop” is the NATO Summit in Madrid, from 28 to 30 June. The present is expected to be given by both US President Joe Biden and the European “key players” of the alliance such as Emanuel Macron, Boris Johnson and Olaf Solz.
The Greek Prime Minister who will participate in the NATO summit will be in favor of the need for calm within the alliance, at a time when it is particularly needed. There he is expected to stress Ankara’s destabilizing role, which affects the overall image of the alliance.
