Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended Hamas in a press conference in Ankara, claiming more than 1,000 members of the group are being treated at hospitals in Turkey. He disagreed with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ characterization of Hamas as a terrorist organization, stating that he does not see Hamas as a terror group but rather as a group protecting their land. The Turkish official later clarified that Erdogan misspoke, referring to Palestinians from Hamas-controlled Gaza, not members of Hamas.
Turkey and Greece have been at odds for decades over issues like territorial claims in the Aegean Sea and drilling rights in the Mediterranean, nearly going to war three times in the last half-century. However, in an effort to normalize relations, they agreed in December to set aside their disputes and focus on areas of consensus. This positive agenda includes trade, energy, education, and cultural ties. Regular high-level contacts have been maintained since the summit in Athens, with initiatives like allowing Turkish citizens to visit Greek islands without visa procedures.
In November, Turkey announced plans to evacuate wounded or sick Gazans, primarily cancer patients, as well as Turkish nationals, Turkish Cypriots, and their relatives. The two NATO members have reached a delicate balance in their relationship, as they aim to strengthen their normalization process despite past conflicts and disagreements. While Greece categorizes Hamas as a terrorist organization, Erdogan continues to refer to them as a “resistance organization,” emphasizing their efforts to protect their land.
The tensions between Turkey and Greece escalated in 2020 over energy exploration rights in the Mediterranean, leading to warships facing off in the region. However, the leaders of both countries have prioritized finding areas of mutual interest, such as trade, energy, and cultural ties, to mend fences and improve relations. Turkish President Erdogan highlighted the Turkish-Muslim minority in Greece’s Thrace region as a “friendship bridge” between the two communities, emphasizing the importance of fostering a positive relationship.
The face-to-face summit between Erdogan and Mitsotakis was the fourth meeting between the leaders in the past year, reflecting their commitment to improving relations and finding common ground. Erdogan’s comments defending Hamas and Mitsotakis’ acknowledgment of the progress made in their friendship initiative highlight the ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between the two countries. The positive agenda set by Turkey and Greece aims to strengthen ties and promote cooperation in various sectors, signaling a shift towards a more collaborative relationship between the two NATO allies.
