عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

NATO Members Greece, Türkiye Pledge to ‘Reset’ Ties and Bypass Longstanding Disputes

In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, shakes hands with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, shakes hands with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP)
TT
TT

NATO Members Greece, Türkiye Pledge to ‘Reset’ Ties and Bypass Longstanding Disputes

In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, shakes hands with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, shakes hands with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP)

Greece is ready to “reset” relations with neighbor Türkiye in an effort to bypass decades-old disputes between the two NATO members, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday.

Mitsotakis held an hourlong meeting Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and told reporters they had agreed to continue high-level contacts.

“Our problems have not been magically resolved,” Mitsotakis said. “But today’s meeting confirmed my intention and that of President Erdogan to reset Greek-Turkish relations.”

Cabinet ministers from the two sides are due to meet after the summer in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis said.

Wednesday's talks were held a day after Türkiye dropped its objections to Sweden’s membership in NATO and signaled further willingness to lower tension with Western nations, including Greece.

Türkiye and Greece remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, a dispute that affects illegal migration into the European Union, mineral rights, and the projection of military power.

Both NATO members are seeking to upgrade their air forces with assistance from the United States: Ankara wants new and upgraded F-16 fighter jets, while Athens is keen to join the F-35 program.

The defense ministers of Greece and Türkiye, Nikos Dendias and Yasar Guler, held a separate meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Floods Wreak Havoc in Malaysia, Southern Thailand with over 30 Killed

Men use a boat at a flooded neighborhood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Men use a boat at a flooded neighborhood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
TT
TT

Floods Wreak Havoc in Malaysia, Southern Thailand with over 30 Killed

Men use a boat at a flooded neighborhood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Men use a boat at a flooded neighborhood in Tumpat, on the outskirts of Kota Bahru, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Severe floods caused by monsoon rains killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said five days of heavier-than-expected rain that battered the country's east coast last week was equal to the rainfall over the past six months, wreaking havoc in the northeastern state of Kelantan and neighboring Terengganu.
The heavy downpours damaged roads and houses in Kelantan and other parts of Malaysia. Rescue workers used boats to distribute food to victims trapped in their homes. Anwar said it would cost the government an estimated 1 billion ringgit ($224 million) to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods.
The rain eased over the weekend, but the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rains later Tuesday. Anwar said the government is bracing for another monsoon surge that is expected to hit on Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
According to the National Disaster Command Center, about 91,000 people across eight states remained in schools, community halls and relief centers after they were moved out of their homes due to the floods. This was down from about 150,000 evacuees on Sunday. About 88% of the evacuees are from Kelantan and Terengganu.
At least six people died in Malaysia, while the death toll was higher in southern Thailand.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said Tuesday that 25 people perished in floods in the southernmost part of the country in the past week. More than 300,000 households have been affected, with many schools and 98 health facilities forced to close. The health ministry said 34,354 evacuees remained at 491 government shelters on Monday.
Although water levels have receded in several provinces, the department also warned of more heavy rains through Thursday, putting the areas further at risk of flash floods. Authorities prepared shelter, water pumps, evacuation trucks and boats, and put rescue workers on standby to prepare for more downpours.
The floods have affected tourism, with Malaysian officials urging citizens to defer travel plans to southern Thailand, a popular holiday destination.