Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, visited earthquake-stricken areas in Turkey on Tuesday, after an invitation by his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar.
The rare visit by the Greek official is part of efforts to ease tensions between Greece and Turkey over long-standing disputes, including maritime boundaries and drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
During the visit, Panagiotopoulos and Akar visited Turkey’s Disaster & Crisis Coordination & Management Center in Antakya, where Akar briefed the Greek minister on latest developments after a deadly earthquake struck the country on February 6.
The two ministers then flew over disaster areas on a helicopter and visited a hospital and temporary accommodations housing people who lost their homes in the earthquakes.
“I observed the magnitude of the destruction, but I also observed the great effort to rebuild the area,” Panagiotopoulos said.
He also reiterated “the statement of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said that we will try to support Turkey to the extent we can as it faces the long-term consequences of this great humanitarian disaster.”
Greece was among the first countries to offer help to Turkey following the earthquake and the outpouring of support led to a de-escalation of tensions. Turkey for its part, offered its condolences and support following a deadly train crash in northern Greece.
“Our hope and expectation is that the positive, constructive atmosphere we experienced after the earthquake disaster will continue… and the doors of dialogue will remain open,” Akar told reporters.
Source: Ekathimerini.
