The Turkish media reproduces the modest announcement of the Turkish presidency referring to the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting and points out with a positive or neutral approach the meeting of the two leaders in the wider context of the Turkish president’s contacts in Washington. The announcement notes that bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece, regional and global issues were discussed.
President Erdogan stated that “Turkey continues its efforts to develop a spirit of solidarity with Greece based on the principle of good neighborliness and that these efforts will continue to increase.”
It is also reported that Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that “positive efforts should be increased to end the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine and that it would be beneficial for all countries in the region to work for peace to prevail in these areas.” .
The Turkish media also reproduces the reports of the Greek media, stressing that during the 45-minute meeting, the positive climate between the two countries was once once more confirmed.
Diplomatic circles in Turkey refer to the text of the conclusions of the Synod, mainly expressing satisfaction regarding the reference to terrorism, which Turkey identifies with the Kurdish, but also the reaffirmation of the decision at the previous Vilnius Synod to lift restrictions on the sale of defense material in allied countries, such as Turkey.
In its gains, Turkey also counts the report that the anti-missile shield of the Alliance should cover all members and that for European defense and NATO’s relations with the EU the previous position on the cooperation of the two organizations was adopted.
“It was decided that the joint plans developed by some countries among themselves or outside the scope of NATO should be implemented in accordance with NATO’s defense planning. This decision was in line with Turkey’s view that NATO is the only security umbrella,” the same diplomatic circles point out, as reported by the Turkish media.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, speaking to Politico, insisted that European defense should depend only on NATO, given that Turkey is a member of NATO.
“As a result of the implementation of the Montreux Convention on the Straits and Turkey’s diplomatic initiatives, its non-monetary contributions to Ukraine were recognized by NATO,” Turkish diplomatic sources said, commenting on the text of the conclusions.
Finally, Ankara appears particularly satisfied with the decision to hold the upcoming NATO Summit in Turkey in 2026.
The Turkish president, on the sidelines of his participation in the Summit in Washington, had bilateral meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Indicative titles of Turkish newspapers:
Hürriyet (pro-government): “Met with leaders”
Sabah (pro-government): “Turkey is a necessary player for peace”
Aksam (pro-government): “Intensive diplomatic activity in the US”
Milliyet (pro-government): “International appeal for Gaza” / “Greek media made headlines and upset Israel: Erdogan and Mitsotakis agreed”
Sozcu (nationalist opposition): “75th anniversary message: We are stronger than ever”
Türkiye (nationalist pro-government): “Chat with Biden”
Yeni Şafak (pro-government): “Intensive diplomatic activity in the US”
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