Turkey and Greece Aim to Better Ties Even as Cyprus Tensions Linger
- Erdogan, Mitsotakis underscored importance of dialog in Ankara
- Historic differences remain over maritime boundaries, Cyprus
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday as the leaders expressed determination to focus on improving long-strained relations between neighbors on NATO’s southeastern flank.
The meeting signals a desire by the two leaders to build on an easing of tensions late last year, when they agreed to co-operate on tourism and culture. More stumbling blocks have since emerged, such as Turkey’s opposition to plans by Greece to create a marine park in the Aegean Sea, illustrating difficulties in overcoming historical territorial and maritime energy-exploration disputes.