The first day of the exploratory talks in the 61st round of discussions between Greece and Turkey concluded at Dolmabahçe palace in Istanbul on Monday. The talks began at 11am and wrapped up at 2.30pm (Istanbul time).
Tensions between the two countries have been escalating over claims to Mediterranean waters, energy rights and numerous other issues. At loggerheads over gas reserves in the Aegean, Turkey sent exploration vessels into contested waters and relations worsened when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had “opened the gates to Europe”, sparking an exodus of refugees to the border with Greece.
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The opening of dialogue is viewed as a “positive” sign towards the normalisation of relations between the neighbouring countries.
The next round of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey will take place in Athens, diplomatic resources reported on Monday.