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Earthquake diplomacy: Greek foreign minister visits Turkiye

Athens, Greece –

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited the quake-hit areas in Turkiye on Sunday, accompanied by his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The visit is part of a new so-called “earthquake diplomacy” between two uneasy allies, whose relationship is often cold, if not downright hostile. The same thing happened in 1999, three years after the two countries almost went to war over two uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea.

In August 1999, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit Turkiye, killing about 18,000 people; The following month, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Greek capital Athens, killing 143 people. In both cases, the two countries sent rescuers to support each other’s efforts. The warming of bilateral relations has been widely reported in the international media.

Cavusoglu recalls a letter he, as an ordinary citizen, sent to TIME magazine at the time.

“Back then, I said that we shouldn’t wait for another earthquake to improve our relations. I repeat this now, as Turkey’s foreign minister. We must work to improve our relations. improve his relationship,” Cavusoglu said.

“I want to completely agree with what Mevlut said: that we shouldn’t wait for natural disasters to improve our relationship,” Dendias later said.

The two countries are at odds over natural resource research in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey also accuses Greece of militarizing some of the Aegean islands, in violation of international treaties, a charge Greece strongly denies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan often threatens Greece that Turkish troops will arrive “suddenly overnight” and has mentioned that Turkey’s new Tayfun missile can reach Athens.

Such claims have, at least for now, been cast aside. Erdogan spoke by phone with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whom he has vowed never to speak again. Two Greek officials phoned Mr. Erdogan to express their condolences to the victims of the earthquake and to assure him of Greece’s support.

Publicly and on social media, the Greek people have expressed their support for Turkey, with the exception of some far-fetched nationalists. Greek unions have been at the forefront of collecting aid for the displaced. At all sporting events held on Saturday, a minute of silence is observed for the victims.

Cavusoglu and Dendias visited the Operations Center in Antakya, where they were informed of the latest developments regarding evacuation and rescue efforts, as well as the humanitarian needs that had arisen. They also saw the extent of the devastation from the air, during a helicopter ride.

Dendias and Cavusoglu also visited the barracks where other Greek and international units and units were stationed. Dendias said that in a joint appearance with Cavusoglu, rescuers from EU countries pulled a total of 205 survivors from the rubble.

“The Greek effort won’t stop here,” said Dendias. “Greece will do whatever it takes to support Turkiye, whether bilaterally or as a member of the European Union.”

Cavusoglu especially thanked Greek rescuers for their “extraordinary efforts, round the clock, over the past week.”

“We note that all Greeks, not just the rescuers, are elated after each rescue… The good neighborliness shown in those difficult days,” he said. speak.



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