Turkey and Greece met in Thessaloniki, Greece, to implement bilateral military confidence-building measures (CBMs) by 2025, with the aim of reducing the long-standing and occasionally escalating tensions between the two NATO member states. The parties attempted to take a positive step in relations by completing a new round of negotiations.
During the talks in Thessaloniki, delegations comprising senior diplomats, senior military officials and representatives of the defence ministries comprehensively reviewed the cross-border security measures agreed upon in previous years and currently in force. They also discussed in detail the roadmap for 2026, which will further enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The scope of the confidence-building measures discussed covers a wide range. These include establishing regular contacts between the military personnel of the two countries, establishing direct and rapid communication lines between the defense and foreign ministries, organizing joint disaster response exercises, language training exchange programs for military personnel, and cooperating on environmental issues along the Meriç River, which is a border region. The implementation of these measures aims to prevent misunderstandings between the two countries and prevent possible crises from escalating.
Ongoing Disagreements Among NATO Allies
Despite both countries being allies within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Turkey and Greece have been plagued by a series of unresolved disputes for many years, the basis of which is the demarcation of maritime borders, violations of Greek airspace, exploration and exploitation rights for energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, and sovereignty claims over certain islands in the Aegean Sea.
In the past, serious crises have occasionally brought the two countries to the brink of a military conflict. The most recent example of this situation was the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2020. Therefore, keeping the channels of dialogue open between the two countries and implementing confidence-building measures are of great importance for regional stability.
Constructive Discussions and Hope for the Future
The talks held this week in Thessaloniki, Greece, on April 28-29 were described by both sides as taking place in a “constructive” atmosphere. This positive atmosphere has raised hopes for future cooperation and reducing tensions. In an important development for the continuation of the dialogue process between the two countries, the next round of talks is planned to be held in Türkiye. This situation demonstrates the will of both sides to resolve the issues and normalize relations. It is expected that such diplomatic efforts between Turkey and Greece will make significant contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
