Friendship across the Aegean?

Friendship across the Aegean?

The relationship between Greece and Turkey is sensitive and complex, so people in both countries will be watching closely as Recep Tayipp Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, visits Athens from May 14 to May 15.

At different times, the two countries have fought wars, disputed territory, and expelled their respective minority populations.

Greece was occupied by the Ottomans for 400 years.

And it's the sensitivity of that period which goes a long way towards explaining why Athens today is the only EU capital without a mosque, despite the presence of thousands of Muslims.

At the same time, the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey complains of persecution.

And yet - paradoxically - from food, to music, Turkey and Greece have so much in common, and their cultures are entwined.

Here's how one leading Turkish newspaper is looking forward to the visit.

Both George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, and Erdogan want relations to improve.

They'll spend a lot of time talking about economic ties - Erdogan is bringing more than 100 businessmen with him.

Turkey may be able to offer Greece some sympathy, and even advice, on how to deal with an economic crisis.

In 2001, Turkey needed IMF support. Since then its economy has performed very well. Now, of course, it's Greece that's down in the dumps. 

Military and defence issues are not on the official agenda, but it will be interesting to hear if they come up in discussion.

Greece and Turkey are Nato allies, but the arms race on both sides of the Aegean has been fuelled by mutualsuspicion.

Greece, in its current economic plight, simply cannot sustain what is the highest level of defence spending per capita in the EU.

The Greek government is committed to cutting this spending; not least because expensive weapons contracts have been such a source of corruption in the past.

Greece's defence ministry rejects any suggestion that there is a link between cutbacks and improved relations with Turkey, but the fact is that a successful Erdogan visit will create improved confidence all round.

And then there's Cyprus. The "peace process" there appears moribund, following the recent election of the nationalist Dervish Eroglu as president of Turkish Cypriots.

It's perhaps naïve to think Papandreou and Erdogan can give it some impetus, but Cyprus remains a key obstacle to Turkey ever getting into the EU.

All of which makes for an interesting couple of days in Athens.