"Frenemies" Greece and Armenia... Turkey's Helping Hand

'Territorial Dispute' Greek Minister Visits Turkiye
Armenia Opens Border After 35 Years to Deliver Aid Supplies

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Recently, as Turkey suffered more than 30,000 deaths due to a massive earthquake and damages continued to mount, humanitarian aid from various countries has been pouring in. Among them, countries that have been in a hostile relationship with Turkey for decades are also actively extending helping hands, creating a mood of reconciliation.

On the 12th (local time), Nikos Dendias, Greece's Foreign Minister, met with Mevl?t ?avu?o?lu, Turkey's Foreign Minister, in Adana, Turkey, to visit the earthquake damage sites in person and discuss support measures. Among European Union (EU) member state ministers, Minister Dendias was the first to visit the earthquake-affected areas in Turkey.

Recently, as Turkey suffered more than 30,000 deaths due to a major earthquake, its adversaries Greece and Armenia also stepped forward to provide support.

According to AFP News Agency, Minister Dendias stated on that day, "Greece's efforts to help the Turkish people and society overcome their frustration will not stop here." He instructed the Greek mission in Geneva to take measures to provide urgent humanitarian aid through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Greece was also the first country to provide support to Turkey by sending rescue teams and equipment on the 6th, the day the massive earthquake occurred. Minister Dendias revealed that the Greek government has sent 80 tons of medical and emergency treatment equipment and rescue teams so far, and together with other European rescue teams, has saved 205 people.

Previously, Greece and Turkey had long-standing frictions over territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea. However, in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes, cooperation takes precedence over old grudges. When a major earthquake struck Turkey in August 1999, Greece provided large-scale support and worked hard on recovery efforts. A month later, when an earthquake occurred near Athens, Greece, Turkey dispatched rescue workers to assist Greece.

Armenia also joined the reconciliation mood. Armenia opened its border for the first time in 35 years and delivered relief supplies to Turkey. According to foreign media on the 11th, Serdar Kılı?, former Turkish ambassador to the U.S. and special envoy for negotiations with Armenia, posted on his social media that "five trucks carrying about 100 tons of food, medicine, and water passed through the Alican border crossing." The opening of the border between the two countries was the first since 1988, when Turkey's Red Crescent (the Islamic countries' equivalent of the Red Cross) sent relief supplies to earthquake-affected Armenia through the Alican checkpoint.

These countries had been long-time enemies due to the 'Armenian Genocide' incident. The Armenian Genocide refers to the killing and deportation of about 1.5 million Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of Turkey, between 1915 and 1917. However, the Turkish government, the successor of the Ottoman Empire, has denied that the Ottoman Empire was systematically involved in the genocide, which has caused conflicts with Armenia for over 100 years.