A new round of talks between Greece and Turkey after years of tension

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Prominent Greek and Turkish diplomats met in Athens on Tuesday to discuss long-running tensions between the two NATO members.

This is about maritime borders and rights to exploit submarines to explore for energy sources after years of tense bilateral relations.

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According to the Associated Press, the purpose of these preliminary talks is to achieve more detailed formal talks after five years.

The tensions between Greece and Turkey led to a dangerous military build-up in the eastern Mediterranean last year (2020) and strained relations between Ankara and the European Union, specifically France and Greece.

European officials said in recent days that there were signs of improved relations with Turkey.

Tensions between Greece and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean last year rose to unprecedented levels after weeks of difficult confrontation between the two countries.

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Greece had hoped to achieve high growth in 2020 after a 10-year financial crisis that wiped out nearly a quarter of its national product, but this hope was dispelled by the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic.

The southern European country expects 4.8% growth for 2021, after an economic decline of 10% in 2020.

However, despite the economic difficulties, the Greek government has expressed interest in investing in the armed forces, deploying personnel, frigates, helicopters and drones, and modernizing its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

Greece and Turkey have resumed talks on delimiting offshore exploration areas since January 25.

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