Berlin’s strategic hand in Greek-Turkish relations

"We see this with a lot of positive excitement," said Germany's Ambassador in Athens Andreas Kindl when asked about his perspective on the Greek-Turkish summit at the recent Athens Security Forum. The German government has ample cause for satisfaction regarding recent developments in relations between Greece and Turkey. It may not be widely known, but Berlin has been instrumental in orchestrating the renewed dialogue between Athens and Ankara after a period of high tensions. There was a pivotal moment a year ago when senior diplomats from Greece and Turkey convened in Brussels at Germany's behest, laying the groundwork for the resumption of the diplomatic process. When Turkey was struck by devastating earthquakes this February, the then foreign minister Nikos Dendias rushed to Anatolia, reinforcing and injecting considerable momentum into the process.

In recent years,...