Waiting for Erdogan

As the Greek government is getting ready to host Turkey's president and a number of his ministers in Athens on Thursday, it looks to the immediate future of bilateral relations with a sense of reserved optimism.

Athens is in a wait-and-see mode, but opts for an optimistic analysis of the situation following the positive comments by the Turkish president in recent days.

There are some encouraging signs: Ankara's aggressive rhetoric has subsided, while there have been almost zero overflights following last February's devastating earthquake that hit Turkey, and Greece's emotional reaction and sincere offer of assistance.

Athens looks forward to a continuation of "calm waters" in the Aegean, and, on an issue with real and immediate consequences - that concern not only Greece, but Europe as a whole - maintaining the improved situation in recent months in regard to...