Greek-Turkish Earthquake Diplomacy

In August and September 1999, two devastating earthquakes led to a remarkable improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey, known as earthquake diplomacy. On 17 August 1999, a powerful earthquake struck near Izmit in northwestern Turkey, killing more than 17,000 people. Greece was one of the first countries to respond, sending rescue teams, doctors and aid, and Greek citizens donated blood and supplies. When an earthquake struck Athens on 7 September 1999, Turkish rescue teams quickly came to help. The images of Greeks and Turks helping each other in their moment of need had a powerful impact on public opinion in both countries, which had long been rivals. The foreign ministers of the two countries, George Papandreou of Greece and İsmail Cem of Turkey, had already begun talks earlier that year, and they used the goodwill to improve relations. In December 1999, at the European Council in Helsinki, Greece lifted its opposition to Turkey becoming a candidate for membership of the European Union. The two countries signed several agreements on trade, tourism and cooperation.