Greek cafe in heart of Turkey signals a thaw in relations
Greek cafe in heart of Turkey signals a thaw in relations. Greece's newly elected prime minister, George Papandreou, appears determined to tap into the desire for improved bilateral relations. Since his socialist government assumed power there has been a discernible shift in mood between the two countries, whose ties in recent years had again fallen victim to paranoia and hostility.A surprise visit to Turkey – where the Greek leader is still remembered fondly for his reconciliation policies back in the 1990s – was received with near euphoria after he laid an olive branch at the grave of the late foreign minister, Ismail Cem, who helped oversee rapprochement.