Greece’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that all dealings with Turkey must remain strictly bilateral and grounded in international law, rejecting U.S. suggestions of third-party mediation.
Spokesperson Lana Zochiou said Athens continues to prioritize steady, predictable communication with Ankara as the most effective way to prevent tensions and avoid crises.
Her comments came in response to remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who indicated Washington could act as a “bridge” between the two countries. Zochiou said Greece has received no mediation proposal and is not considering any third-party initiative. “Issues with Turkey are managed strictly on a bilateral basis and always through international law,” she said.
On the Halki Seminary, Zochiou said Athens continues to receive positive signals but stressed that the matter is international in scope, relating to religious freedom and cultural rights, rather than a bilateral issue.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is attending a NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, amid U.S.-led initiatives to advance peace efforts in Ukraine. Athens has emphasized that any proposals must protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and involve the European Union in negotiations affecting European interests.
Despite ongoing regional diplomacy, no meeting is currently scheduled between Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Brussels or Vienna. Talks on a “positive agenda” and broader political consultations are ongoing, with potential meetings tentatively planned for early 2026.
Greece is also focusing on Libya and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. This week, Aguila Saleh, Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, will make his first official visit to Athens, where Greece is expected to reaffirm that the Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum is illegal and lacks legal effect.
Negotiations on maritime zones remain slow and complex. Gerapetritis’ 2025 visits to both Libyan sides have advanced talks step by step. A Greek business delegation is scheduled to travel to Libya in January 2026, highlighting Athens’ strategic interests in the region.
Athens stressed that dialogue with Turkey remains essential, but any progress must respect legality, clarity, and international obligations.