# Turkey-Greece intelligence diplomacy and secret meetings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-greece-intelligence-diplomacy > Updated: 2026-09-08T13:07:30.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 4. İbrahim Kalın, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and special envoy for President Erdoğan, conducted a high-level visit to Athens to meet with Greek Intelligence Service (EYP) head Themistoklis Demiris and other officials. The summit addressed various security and diplomatic issues, including counter-terrorism, human trafficking, organized crime, and regional security. Discussions also covered long-standing disputes such as maritime boundaries and the militarization of islands. While Turkey expressed a commitment to a “constructive and good-natured approach,” it also stated it would not tolerate unilateral actions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The secretive nature of the visit drew political criticism in Greece. The opposition party SYRIZA demanded explanations from the Mitsotakis government, questioning why Parliament and the opposition were not notified. SYRIZA criticized the use of “secret diplomacy” and raised concerns regarding whether the meetings addressed Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine. New reports from the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak suggest the visit may have included a secret meeting at the Maximos Mansion with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to convey messages from President Erdoğan. According to these reports, Kalın warned that Turkey would not accept the militarization of Greek islands or the creation of new security lines through cooperation with Israel, specifically referencing the Achilles Shield defense system. In response, the Niki party has demanded immediate explanations, calling for institutional transparency regarding matters of national sovereignty. Recent reports regarding the unannounced meeting highlight differing perspectives on its agenda. Turkish security sources suggest discussions focused on combating terrorism, espionage, organized crime, and irregular migration, alongside regional stability in the Middle East, Syria, and Libya. Greek reports indicate the meeting also addressed the presence of Turkish criminal networks and migrant smuggling operations. In a separate diplomatic development, Israel has appointed Joel Lion as its temporary chargé d’affaires to Turkey. ## Claims - Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin made a secret visit to Athens to meet with Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP) director Themistoklis Demiris. (single source) - Israel’s temporary chargé d’affaires for relations with Turkey, Joel Lion, presented his credentials at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. (single source) - Joel Lion's visit marks the first public diplomatic visit by an Israeli official to Turkey since the 2023 embassy evacuation. (single source) - The intelligence-level contact occurs amid maritime border disputes in the Aegean Sea and strengthening defense ties between Greece and Israel. (single source) - Greece and Israel signed a $3.5 billion defense deal to develop the Achilles Shield air defense system. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Intelligence chiefs hold discreet meeting in Athens amid regional tensions Intelligence chiefs from Turkey and Greece held a discreet meeting in Athens to discuss security and crime, amid broader EU assessments of Turkey’s complex regional relations with Greece and Cyprus. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/intelligence-chiefs-hold-discreet-meeting-in-athens-amid-regional-tensions ### 2026-09-08: Turkish intelligence chief makes secret visit to Athens Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin reportedly held secret talks in Athens, while Israel appointed Joel Lion as temporary chargé d’affaires to Turkey, signaling shifts in regional diplomacy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-mit-chief-reportedly-held-secret-meeting-with-greek-pm ### 2026-09-05: MİT Chief İbrahim Kalın holds critical intelligence summit in Athens MİT Chief İbrahim Kalın met with Greek intelligence head Themistoklis Demiris in Athens to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, and maritime tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mit-chief-ibrahim-kaln-holds-critical-intelligence-summit-in-athens ### 2026-09-02: Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın's secret Athens visit sparks political outcry SYRIZA is demanding transparency from the Greek government following reports of a secret visit to Athens by Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-intelligence-chief-ibrahim-kalns-secret-athens-visit-sparks-political-outcry --- Cite as: Turkey-Greece intelligence diplomacy and secret meetings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-greece-intelligence-diplomacy