Greek leader to visit Ankara in May in
thaw with Turkey
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends a joint press conference with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
ATHENS, March 12 (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced plans on Tuesday to visit Ankara in May, the latest step in a diplomatic thaw between the two historical rivals, which included a visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Greece in December.
"I think there is sincere willingness from the Turkish leadership's side as well for us to be able to bridge our differences, to avoid tensions at least," Mitsotakis said in a televised interview with Greece's Skai TV.
Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have long been at odds over issues including where their continental shelves start and end, energy resources, flights over the Aegean Sea, and policy towards the ethnically divided island of Cyprus.
They have taken high profile steps to improve their ties in recent years, notably since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
During Erdogan's visit to Greece three months ago, they agreed to boost trade, keep communication channels open, seek military confidence-building measures to reduce tension, and work on issues which have kept them apart, notably in the Aegean Sea.
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Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou Editing by Peter Graff
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