Athens – Greece is deploying at least 3,000 police officers and other security staff to beef up security ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit this week, Greek officials said Tuesday. The additional security will be in place for Erdogan's visit on Thursday and Friday, an official from the interior ministry told dpa. The Turkish leader is visiting Greece, an EU and NATO member, at a time of strained relations between Turkey and the United States and Germany. Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras are expected to discuss Turkey's relations with the European Union as well as migration to Greece and Europe, for which Turkey is a main launch point.

Cooperation in energy, transport, tourism

The regional neighbours and one-time foes will also discuss cooperation in energy, transport, tourism and re-address the old issue of sovereignty rights in the Aegean Sea. Greek observers also expect Erdogan to repeat the demand for the extradition of eight Turkish military officers who defected to Greece in a helicopter after the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016. A Greek court rejected Turkey's extradition request on the grounds that they may not receive a fair trial in their home country.