Greek–Turkish relations

Athens has decided to proceed with the gradual closure of the Lavrio refugee camp, which has long been accused by Ankara of being a hideout for terrorists under the guise of being asylum-seekers, due to "the unsuitability of the site to continue hosting refugees."

Reflecting the changing mood in Greek-Turkish relations, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos has hailed what he referred to as an extremely positive climate.

The reduction of tensions with Turkey is the tangible reality of the last few months that cannot be disputed. Violations of national airspace have been minimized and belligerent statements by Turkish officials have ceased. A climate of moderate optimism is justifiably being created for the course of Greek-Turkish relations.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met with the new Turkish Ambassador to Greece Cagatay Erciyes on Wednesday, with the minister stating that Greece wants to further the improved relations that developed between the two countries following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February.

NATO members Turkey and Greece can resolve their disputes through peaceful means and dialogue, Turkey's defense minister said after talks with his Greek counterpart Tuesday, in the latest sign of easing tensions between the rival neighbors.

Since the tragic earthquakes in Turkey it appears that a sense of calm is prevailing in the Aegean - at least for the moment - that has led to an improvement in ties between Greece and Turkey and a decrease in threats and provocations from Ankara.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, the government in Ankara seems to have shelved its claims against Greece and is keeping a low profile regarding Greek-Turkish relations, which are, at least for now, not high on the election agenda in the neighboring country. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Egypt, his ministry announced Friday, the first such high-level trip in more than a decade as the countries repair relations damaged in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring.

Turkey wants to "share the wealth of the Aegean," its defense minister, Hulusi Akar, said at the weekend, while Ankara seeks to maintain a low tone in Greek-Turkish relations and is sending signals of cooperation to Athens. In interviews with CNN Turk TV and the Anadolu Agency, Akar referred positively to the phone conversation he had with his Greek counterpart Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Ankara's decision not only to allow the imprisoned father of an off-duty train driver who was killed in last week's deadly rail accident in central Greece to attend his son's funeral, but also to serve the rest of his sentence in a Greek prison was seen in Athens as another indication of the significant improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.