Europe and Turkey share a common interest in de-escalating the conflict in Gaza, as stated by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday during a speech at a Berlin think-tank.
Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of closer dialogue between European countries and Turkey to address ongoing issues. He announced plans to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Greece in the coming weeks for discussions on bilateral ties and regional matters, Anadolu Agency reported.
While expressing complete disagreement with President Erdogan’s comments on Hamas, Mitsotakis asserted that it should not prevent Erdogan’s welcome in Greece. Erdogan faced criticism from European politicians for stating that Hamas is not a militant organization but a group fighting for their homeland.
Mitsotakis stressed the shared interest in preventing the conflict from escalating further, both for Turkey and Europe. He highlighted the upcoming discussions with Erdogan, covering topics such as the normalization of bilateral relations, EU-Turkey relations, and cooperation on irregular migration.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s CDU, supported Mitsotakis’ view, advocating for dialogue with Erdogan.
Merz emphasised the significance of the meeting between the German Chancellor (Olaf Scholz) and the Turkish President, despite criticism.
Erdogan’s planned visit drew criticism from various German politicians and media outlets due to his sharp critique of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Some opposition politicians urged Scholz to cancel the meeting with Erdogan.
