A powerful earthquake struck near Rhodes and southern Turkey this morning, once again bringing natural disaster to the forefront of regional headlines. For years, amid continuous tensions between Greece and Turkey, disaster relief has served as a surprising area of cooperation, transforming historic rivals into allies when faced with shared adversity. Both earthquake-prone nations have endured deadly quakes, with the most notable being the catastrophic earthquakes of 1999.
On August 17, 1999, a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit northwestern Turkey, particularly affecting Istanbul and the industrial city of Izmit. More than 17,000 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands were injured.
A few months later, on September 1, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Greece, centered near Athens, killing over 140 people and causing widespread destruction. The earthquakes inflicted widespread economic hardship and profound psychological distress across both societies.
The year 1999 marked a pivotal shift in relations between these historic adversaries, setting the stage for what would come to be known as “earthquake diplomacy”. This term refers to a period when countries—despite their political differences—set aside their disputes to offer mutual aid and relief following a natural disaster.
In the case of Greece and Turkey, these post-earthquake moments led to open channels for negotiation and improved relations between the two nations.
Channels for Bilateral Relations
During the 1999 crisis, the international community watched as both countries extended heartfelt support to one another, providing aid and solidarity during their darkest hours. This unexpected display of unity was particularly striking given the tensions that had existed just years earlier, when both nations faced off over the Imia/Kardak Rocks dispute in the Aegean Sea in 1996.
The immediate humanitarian response from both nations—sending rescue teams, aid, and support to each other—served as the first step towards normalization of relations. This shared tragedy prompted Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit to engage in public expressions of goodwill, signaling a shift in relations.
The pivotal moment in the relations, was Greece’s endorsement for Turkey’s potential accession to the European Union at the 1999 EU Summit in Helsinki, Finland, despite it being traditionally opposed to Turkey’s EU aspirations.
The aftermath of the earthquakes also saw the signing of several bilateral agreements, focusing on disaster management, military confidence-building, and cultural exchange, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Despite ongoing disputes, these moments of cooperation in 1999 marked a turning point in Greece-Turkey relations, proving that even amidst rivalry, natural disasters can foster solidarity and open new diplomatic pathways.
In Recent Years: Earthquake Diplomacy Revived
French rescue workers pull out Evi Vassilopoulos after she was buried for nearly 46 hours in the debris of Athens’ earthquake on September 9. The workers had struggled from the early hours to recover the young woman after sniffer dogs burying through the wreckage found her alive. yb/Photo by Yannis Behrakis REUTERS
In recent years have seen a resurgence of tensions between Greece and Turkey, including disputes over airspace violations, territorial waters, the demilitarization of Greek islands, and refugee issues. Yet, once again, despite these ongoing conflicts, Greece and Turkey found common ground following the 2023 Turkey earthquake, which tragically claimed over 50,000 lives.
The unresolved “Aegean Dispute” continues to place limits on the depth and reliability of this rapprochement. The return of earthquake diplomacy between the two nations—first in 1999 and again in 2023—has once again garnered the attention of the international community. Despite the devastating impact of these disasters, the earthquakes have consistently served as a catalyst for bilateral dialogue, creating temporary moments of calm.
