The official assessment of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit to Ankara and his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been communicated by the Greek government with celebratory tones, which are further accompanied by criticism of the detractors of its foreign policy. The government spokesperson emphasized that the meeting confirmed the government's strategic choice for a genuinely proud foreign policy, devoid of any superficial nationalist rhetoric. This message was echoed by various government officials, including Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and former Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who criticized former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras for not highlighting Greek positions during his past visit to Ankara.

Moreover, the government’s narrative pushes back against previous criticisms, asserting that those who doubted the effectiveness of their foreign policy were once again proven wrong. The strong emphasis on a proud foreign policy serves not only to bolster the current administration’s standing among its supporters but also aims to highlight a sense of national unity in diplomatic efforts. The dialogue between Greece and Turkey, despite its complexities, is being framed as a careful balancing act between upholding national interests and engaging in constructive dialogue.

This particular meeting comes at a critical time for Greece-Turkey relations, as tensions have historically marked their interactions, especially over territorial and energy issues in the Aegean Sea. The government is keen on portraying an image of proactive diplomacy through this engagement, as opposed to adversarial stances seen in the past, thereby seeking to reassure the public about the competence of their current leadership in addressing sensitive foreign relations.