Natural disasters usually work to unite people to put aside political differences, and it’s been the case for the deadly earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. Over 9,800 rescue personnel from 70 countries have rushed to southeastern Turkey after it was jolted on February 6 by two powerful earthquakes that have killed 31,643 and wounded over 80,000, according to the latest official toll. This is the worst natural disaster that Turkey has witnessed. In recent times, relations between India and Turkey have been strained due to Turkey’s support to Pakistan especially on the issue of Kashmir. However, India was among the first countries to rush aid and rescue teams to Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The catastrophe may also have an impact on international relations. Countries at odds with Turkey and Syria have rallied in solidarity with the two quake-hit countries, sending batches of aid and rescue teams. However, it’s unclear whether this dynamic will continue when the disaster has passed or whether new understandings and bridges will be established. Some countries stick out on the long list more than others, such as Greece, Armenia and Cyprus, despite having had difficult or tense relations with Ankara over decades. However, all of these old rivals have set aside their animosity and given helping hands at a time of disaster.
Natural disasters are indeed brief moments of conciliation in bilateral disputes. In the case of Turkey and Greece they are both earthquake-prone countries and have come to the aid of one another many times, allowing for reconciliation. Usually when the crisis subsides, bilateral tensions reassert themselves, though with less severity. For instance, the earthquakes that struck both Turkey and Greece in 1999 gave rise to “earthquake diplomacy” and improved previously tense ties between the two nations. Before tensions reemerged, the post-quake mood persisted for a few years.
Ankara and Athens have decades-old feuds and have repeatedly come to the brink of war. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias arrived on February 12 for a visit to Turkey’s disaster-struck Adana province, where he was warmly greeted by his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu who praised Greek relief efforts. Similarly, Turkey has not had diplomatic or commercial ties with Armenia since the 1990s. The two countries also reconnected for the first time in decades in the wake of the earthquakes. A border gate between the two countries has been opened for the first time in more than three decades to allow aid for victims of the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey.
That the land border with Armenia is being opened is a significant milestone. Likely, this event will become a major motivator for both countries to normalise relations and exchange ambassadors. Israel too has also sent aid to Turkey. The two countries have improved their relations recently after over a decade of discord. Turkey should also take lessons from this tragedy and try to move to a softer line in foreign policy towards some countries it has problems with such as Sweden, whose NATO membership bid has met with objections from Ankara over security issues. Yet, Sweden immediately rushed to assist Turkey in the aftermath of the disaster.
