Turkish-Greek relations entered a totally new phase in July 1999, a date which mark the beginning of political dialogue on bilateral issues between the two countries. For years after the "Kardak" crisis which brought Turkey and Greece to the brink of war over a deserted islet in the Eastern Aegean and almost immediately after the capture of Öcalan, chief of the PKK terrorist organization while leaving the Greek Embassy in Kenya where he had been provided safe heaven by the Greek authorities, such a development was definitely unexpected.

Back in June 1999, Turkish Foreign Minister İsmail Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou instructed their respective ministries to initiate a process of consultation and joint work on bilateral issues. In July 1999, Turkish and Greek joint committees started to hold talks in a spirit of cooperation and friendship, which yielded very positive results. Nine agreements on promoting cooperation in several fields ranging from environment to combating terrorism have been concluded during the exchange of official visits by Foreign Ministers Cem and Papandreou in January and February 2000 -first of such in the last 40 years.

Rapprochement between the Turkish and Greek peoples after the devastating earthquakes each suffered in 1999 provided another stimulus to the intense diplomatic efforts for improvement of bilateral relations. If the tragedy that the two countries survived had one positive aspect, it was the reaffirmation of human solidarity by neighboring Turkish and Greek peoples. In the wake of the earthquake disasters, they reached out to one another in a magnificent manner and proven that deep down they are friends, not enemies. On both shores of the Aegean, after decades of tensions, Greeks and Turks discovered that they care for each other much more than what was generally presumed.

Following the earthquakes, Turkey and Greece co-sponsored a joint resolution for the very first time in the history of the UN, that is one on the establishment of a "Standby Disaster Response Unit" and they have also instituted a political consultations mechanism.

The endorsement of Turkey's candidacy to the EU on 10 December Helsinki Summit was another manifestation of the progress they have achieved. In the context of consultations between the Political Directors of respective Foreign Ministries, they have established a joint mechanism concerning the work that is necessary in preparation for Turkey's membership to the EU.

Recent proof of improved relations between Turkey and Greece was Turkey's participation in NATO's Dynamic Mix 2000 exercise which took place in Greece between May 20-June 10. In the final phase of the exercise, a company of 150 Turkish marines landed on the beach at Kyparissia on the West coast of the Greek Peloponesian peninsula. During the course of the exercise, a squadron of Turkish F-16 fighters arrived at the Anhialos base in Central Greece, which likewise had never occurred before in the history of the two NATO countries after the Cyprus crisis of 1974.

It is expected that the improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries will significantly change the economic and political landscape of the entire region. Rapprochement between Turkey and Greece appears to constitute a cornerstone for security in the Balkans and a guarantee for the security of investments. As the two countries leave the period of political conflicts and enter one of cooperation, huge economic opportunities will emerge for the both countries and the Balkans in general. Turkey shares six centuries of history with the rest of Balkan nations. Its investments in the region stand at $ 1.2 billion and projected to exceed $ 1.5 billion by the end of the year. Turkey's trade with Greece totaled $ 700 million in 1999, while Chairman of the Turkish-Greek Business Council Mr. Şarık Tara forwards an ambitious forecast of $ 5 billion in bilateral trade between the two countries by the year 2005.

Recent rapprochement between Turkey and Greece seems to receive very positive echoes from the international community. Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministers received "Statesman of the Year" award from the East-West Institute in New York on 2 May 2000 for their diplomatic efforts to bring a rapprochement between the two countries. They also met American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Today, despite the rather recent rapprochement and huge boost of outpouring sympathy when destructive earthquakes struck both countries last year, the main issues of conflict, i.e.problems related to the Aegean and the violations of the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace by Greece, are still pending. Quick and mutually acceptable solutions to these questions are awaited.

Turkey, having the support of the public opinion as well as of the international community, is determined to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with Greece and dwell on the issues of conflict.