It has been 24 years since two earthquakes, one month apart, decisively changed Greek-Turkish relations.

The rubble left behind by the earthquakes in Izmit and Athens left a legacy of solidarity and generosity, which could never have been taken for granted, between the two countries.

That experience of jointly managing a humanitarian crisis without reservations or second thoughts comes to mind when either of the two countries is hit by a natural disaster.

Since the catastrophe, residents of southeastern Turkey and Syria are counting the casualties from the most disastrous earthquake of the last century.

Greece’s support is now more critical than ever.

Already, the first rescue team from our country is in Turkey.

Channels of communication on a political and operational level should remain open and be utilised for as long as necessary.

In these difficult hours, it is Greece’s duty to stand by Turkey in any way possible.

At a time of disaster and the loss of so many thousands of lives, what unites us is far greater and infinitely more important than what divides us.

The reminder of the common fate of the two neighbouring peoples has a greater impact in a time of heightened tensions in bilateral relations, when extreme rhetoric and a toxic climate makes them forget.

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