Greece Reconsidering Veto of EU Funds for Rival Turkey

Greece wants to build on its improved relations with Turkey and is reviewing hard-line policies that include a long-standing veto of European Union funds for Turkey, government officials said Monday.

They said the foreign ministry was seeking ways to help Turkey cope with the aftermath of its devastating earthquake earlier this month and that it hopes the gesture will mark a turning point in the long rivalry between the two nations.

Greece also wants to raise the issue of EU relations with Turkey at an informal EU foreign ministers meeting in Finland next weekend.

“We want to help Turkey in its time of need,” a government source said. “Releasing some blocked EU funds is one thought, but nothing is decided yet.”

Greece has for years blocked EU money to Turkey because of its soured relations with its neighbor and NATO partner over territorial disputes.

Turkey’s EU membership ambitions have also been hampered by its disputes with Greece and by its human rights record.

But Athens was among the first to rush rescue teams, doctors and supplies to Turkey within hours of the Aug. 17 quake, which killed more than 14,000 people.

Turkey has repeatedly thanked Greece for the help, and the Turkish press has said the Athens move could be the start of a new era in bilateral relations.

“The earthquake tragedy has brought us closer. We want to capitalize on this and further improve the climate,” the government source said.