Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is looking to build on positive Greek-Turkish relations during his visit to Ankara next week.
However, according to Kathimerini, ahead of his trip to Turkey’s capital on Monday, the Greek PM has expressed his dismay to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the conversion of the Byzantine Chora Monastery into a mosque.
The progress made on positive relations has come with the visa-free agreement that allows Turkish citizens to easily visit 10 islands in the east Aegean, with the mutual benefits having improved the climate between the two countries.
There have also been no violations on either side and there is a calm in the Aegean.
Achievements with the migration issue have also brought about a major decrease in flows.
Government sources said these positive steps will be highlighted by Mitsotakis as examples to why improving relations, despite disagreements, can benefit both nations.
He will share his “strong dissatisfaction” with the conversion of the historic Chora Monastery into a mosque, but it is unsure if he will so on air or face-to-face with Erdogan.
But the sources stress that the PM wants a candid discussion about what Greece disagrees with without undermining “what positive things have been built so far.”
