How did the 1999 earthquakes improve relations between Greece and Turkey?

The 1999 earthquakes, specifically the devastating İzmit earthquake that struck northwestern Turkey in August of that year, served as a catalyst for improved diplomatic ties between Greece and Turkey.

Following the disaster, which resulted in thousands of fatalities and widespread destruction, Greece provided immediate humanitarian support to its neighbor. This rapid response and the subsequent display of solidarity from the Greek people helped initiate a thaw in the historically contentious relationship between the two nations. This period of "earthquake diplomacy" demonstrated the ethical imperative of prioritizing human life and mutual aid over long-standing political disputes, fostering a brief but significant era of cooperation between the two countries.1