Mitsotakis-Erdoğan: The context of a staged delay

Around four hours before the scheduled meeting, despite an initial agreement and knowing that Erdoğan was to attend an Arab nations summit with Donald Trump immediately afterward, the Turkish side requested a postponement. The Greek government responded by proposing alternative arrangements, but diplomatic exchanges at both the ministerial and adviser levels failed to secure a new time slot. Ultimately, the Turkish side was unable to find an opening in Erdoğan’s schedule before he departed for Washington this evening.

This cancellation — at least for the time being — was confirmed by a senior Greek government source following Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. According to information

, behind-the-scenes factors may have influenced Turkey’s decision, including Greece’s recent diplomatic and operational initiatives, such as maritime spatial planning, marine parks, and moves in the fields of energy and Libya.

The Curious Leak

Adding to the complexity, Turkish media outlet Milliyet published claims that the meeting was canceled because it had been leaked by the Greek side. This narrative did not go unnoticed in Athens.

A senior Greek government official stated: “From the outset, our side has been transparent. We always announce our meetings in advance; Turkey generally does not. The meeting had been fully agreed and announced within the framework of the UN General Assembly.” The official also confirmed that the arrangement was coordinated by the Prime Minister’s diplomatic adviser, Milton Nicolaides, in consultation with Turkish counterparts.

Another Greek source added that if the meeting had not truly been agreed upon, Turkey would have responded to news of the scheduled contact last Thursday afternoon.

“Some Other Time”

In light of these developments, both Athens and Ankara are now seeking another opportunity for the two leaders to meet. “There will be an opportunity for the two leaders to talk at some other time,” a senior Greek government official told reporters from New York. “After all, the Prime Minister has already met President Erdoğan seven times, and we always aim to keep communication channels open.”

Attention is now focused on the possibility of a meeting on October 1 during the European Political Community gathering in Copenhagen — should Erdoğan maintain his travel plans. For now, however, the postponement has stirred the waters, and the “controlled tension” between the two nations is likely to persist.