Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview that there are differences of opinion between Greece and Turkey, however, this does not prevent us from discussing the issues calmly and with an approach that will be mutually beneficial.
In an interview with Milliyet, which is published on the newspaper’s front page, Hakan Fidan noted that his contacts during his visit to Athens on Friday “went very well”, saying that “my dear friend Giorgos and I had the opportunity to thoroughly assess our bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our determination to promote relations between Turkey and Greece with a positive agenda.”
“We are both neighbors and allies. There are certainly differences of opinion between our countries on certain issues. However, this does not prevent us from meeting and discussing our issues calmly,” the Turkish foreign minister said and emphasized that “our goal is to develop our relations and contribute to the welfare of our peoples with an approach that will be mutual beneficial (s.s. kazan-kazan). We are determined to advance our bilateral relations within the framework of good neighborly principles and through confidence-building measures.”
He also noted that during his visit to Athens, preparations were discussed for the meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council to be held in Ankara with the participation of the leaders of the two countries and expressed his belief that “the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis in January will also give our relations a boost.”
To the question of the editorial director of the Turkish newspaper, Ozai Sendir, regarding the opposition in Greece of the extreme right, which is increasing its electoral percentages, the dialogue process with Turkey and more broadly about the rise of the extreme right in Europe and whether the world is entering a new period of conflict, the head of Turkish diplomacy responded:
“I believe that the rise of far-right movements in Europe is also due to approaches based on identity and introversion. Influenced by its domestic politics, the EU has shifted towards an identity-based preference since the Sarkozy era. As a result, the EU has failed to transform itself into a multicultural structure. With a perception that draws its origins from our ancient tradition, we always see differences as wealth. We argue that harmony and even alliance between different cultures may well be possible. On the other hand, the view that sees conflict as destiny sees diversity as a problem. This approach fuels racism, hate speech and anti-immigrant sentiment.”
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**Interview with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Foreign Minister Fidan. You recently visited Athens and mentioned that your discussions with your Greek counterpart were productive. Can you elaborate on the outcomes of those talks?
**Hakan Fidan:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the visit to Athens was fruitful. My discussions with my dear friend Giorgos were comprehensive, and we both felt a strong determination to enhance our bilateral relations. It’s important to acknowledge that while we have our differences of opinion—as any neighboring countries might—we’re committed to addressing these matters through respectful dialogue.
**Editor:** You emphasized a positive agenda for Turkey-Greece relations. What specific areas do you believe can be improved through this approach?
**Hakan Fidan:** There are several areas ripe for collaboration. Trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges are just a few sectors where we can work together. Additionally, we discussed the potential for joint initiatives that can benefit both countries, such as cooperative security measures and addressing regional challenges collaboratively.
**Editor:** Given the historical tensions between Greece and Turkey, how important do you think it is for both nations to maintain this dialogue?
**Hakan Fidan:** It is crucial. Dialogue is the foundation of any healthy relationship, especially between neighbors. By fostering open communication and a calm atmosphere to discuss our differences, we can prevent misunderstandings from escalating and instead find mutually beneficial solutions.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the citizens of both Turkey and Greece in light of your recent talks?
**Hakan Fidan:** I would like to reassure the citizens of both nations that we are working diligently to promote peace and cooperation. Our goal is to transform our challenges into opportunities for growth together. By focusing on our shared interests, we can build a stronger, more prosperous future for both Turkey and Greece.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights today, Minister Fidan. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing how this dialogue progresses.
**Hakan Fidan:** Thank you for having me. I am optimistic about what lies ahead.
