Türkiye, Greece strengthening mutual understanding on fighting terrorism: President Erdogan

ISTANBUL

Türkiye and Greece are strengthening their mutual understanding on fighting terrorism, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

"We agree there is no place for terrorist groups in our region's future," Erdogan said in a news conference in the Turkish capital Ankara with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Erdogan also said that Ankara and Athens are committed to resolving issues between them via "cordial dialogue, good neighborly ties, and international law" as outlined in last year's Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighborliness.

"We are working to push our bilateral trade with Greece to $10 billion, which was $6 billion last year," Erdogan added.

He also underlined that Türkiye expects the "positive atmosphere in our relations" to contribute to fulfilling the rights of the Turkish minority in Greece.

Erdogan highlighted the importance of finding a fair, permanent, and fact-based solution to the Cyprus issue, adding that this would strengthen regional stability and peace.

"I would like to thank Prime Minister Mitsotakis for his efforts to improve our bilateral relations," he added.

Türkiye to keep working to force Israel to Gaza cease-fire

Erdogan also said Ankara was determined to continue its diplomatic contacts to force Israel to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and secure international recognition of a Palestinian state.

He reaffirmed Türkiye's stance that Palestinian group Hamas is a "resistance organization."

"Hamas is a resistance organization whose lands have been occupied since 1947, and which has protected its lands after the occupation of these lands," he said.

Erdogan also urged the global community, especially Western countries, to "raise their voice louder" against the killing of more than 35,000 Palestinian civilians in Israel's ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip.