Greece and Turkey hold crucial talks to ease tension

In northern Greece, senior diplomats and military officials from Greece and Turkey met on April 28, 2025. This meeting aimed to address and alleviate the longstanding tensions between these two NATO allies, particularly focused on issues related to maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights. The discussion was facilitated by Greece's Defense Ministry in Thessaloniki, with notable participants including Haris Lalacos, former Greek ambassador to the United States, and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay. The meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts following a series of discussions between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which both leaders agreed to engage in confidence-building negotiations and pursue a positive agenda centered on closer economic cooperation. Such initiatives are seen as critical steps toward reducing conflict and fostering stability in the region. Following this meeting, the next round of talks is scheduled to occur in Turkey, highlighting the ongoing commitment from both countries to maintain open lines of communication and explore collaborative solutions to their differences. Confidence-building measures from the discussions may include direct communication channels, mutual military visits, and constraints on armed forces exercises, aimed at promoting peace and trust between Greece and Turkey.