Turkey and Greece Focus on the $10 Billion Trade Target

In recent years, trade and tourism relations between Turkey and Greece have witnessed significant growth. The two countries, by implementing the "Positive Agenda" policy, aim to increase the volume of trade exchanges to $10 billion.

Extensive Cooperation in Various Fields

The "Positive Agenda" initiative, launched between the two countries, accelerates cooperation in areas such as health, environment, culture, arts, tourism, and economy. It is expected that this process will be strengthened through mutual official visits and the signing of cooperation agreements.

Diplomatic Meetings and Development of Trade Relations

In late 2023, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, visited Greece after seven years. In this visit, held within the framework of the fifth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting, the two countries set a target to increase the bilateral trade volume to $10 billion.

In the same context, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, visited Turkey in 2024 to explore opportunities for cooperation in trade, health, and cultural fields. It is expected that he will visit Turkey again in April to hold another High-Level Cooperation Council meeting.

Significant Growth in Turkey's Exports to Greece

In recent years, foreign trade between the two countries has followed an upward trend. Turkey's export statistics show that exports to Greece increased from $1.8 billion in 2020 to $3.1 billion in 2021 and then to $3.3 billion in 2022.

In 2023 and 2024, this upward trend continued, with Turkey's exports to Greece reaching $4.2 billion in 2023 and $4.8 billion in 2024. During the same period, Turkey's imports from Greece fluctuated but ended the past year at $1.4 billion.

"With this trend continuing, the two countries will get closer to achieving the $10 billion bilateral trade target."

Increase in Greek Tourists Visiting Turkey

After the end of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Greek citizens traveling to Turkey saw a significant increase. In 2020, the number of Greek tourists visiting Turkey was only 136,305. This figure rose to 686,480 in 2023 and, with a 3% increase in 2024, reached 707,133.

Conclusion

Trade and economic relations between Turkey and Greece are expanding. The two countries aim to achieve a trade volume of $10 billion, which, given the growth trend in exports and the increase in bilateral cooperation, seems feasible. Additionally, the rising number of Greek tourists visiting Turkey reflects the development of cultural and tourism relations between the two nations.