We would like to go on holiday to somewhere is Greece or one of the islands but as my husband is Turkish I was womdering whether he would get a bad reception from the Greek people anywhere.
Does anyone know what Greeks think of Turks and if they would be ok with him, I wouldnt want to go somewhere he felt uncomfortable.
Since you live in London you must know that the problem with Europeans (not just Greeks) and Turks is when they are being provocative and try to distort facts and history (of what happened in Cyprus for example).
If your husband is like most Turks Ive met abroad then hell be fine. If he belongs to the minority I described above, then maybe it wont be a good idea to come to Greece. But I sense that he is not like that, because hed have much problems with English people also and youd already know that and wouldnt ask this question. 😉
Why not visit Rhodes, not only is it a fantastic island to start with but you can take a day trip to Marmaris and also the famous old town has plenty of Turkish influenced history. in Rhodes harbour you will always see Turkish yachts etc. I dont think, in fact I know you will not receive any hostility at all.
I recently found out the local kebab shop owner was from Marmaris. When i said i was from round the corner, “Rhodes,” he went on to tell me his family had lived on rhodes for generations but moved in the people handover.
I dont really think there is that much of problem between Greeks and Turks any more. Yes there will always be history and future political tension but things have moved on. I do not mean this in a patronising way but i feel that the Turks still hate us Greeks more than we hate them. This was demonstrated in the recent football matches between the 2 with the banners on display etc.
i have been to athens just last month and i cannot tell you how amazing all the greek friends were. i did not receive any bad comments from the greeks on the streets when they learned that i was from turkey, actually they were interested in me. everyone was either really friendly or they were trying to prove that greeks do not have any problems with turks. either way: as a turk, i felt home there. as long as your husband keeps away from fragile issues, in which 2 nations have different opinions, he will be well received.
I have also met Turkish visitors, mostly in Santorini, and i really think that they seemed to have a good time.
Lets put it like this. People in both countries are very careful and respectful when it comes to visitors from the other “side” 🙂 I think we all sincerely try to prove that differences which may exist, have nothing to do with tourism and visitors.
You know what would reeeeeeeaaally help? If you brink a couple of bottles of Yeni Raki with you! Whether hes from Turkey or from Mars, he will certainly be more welcome! LOL!!!
No, not my kitty – Kedi Yavrusu means kitten in Turkish so I found a cute kitty to put on!
I am glad we will be ok in Greece, I know my husband isnt going to start talking about anything sensitive, he has no objection to Greece at all, in fact I think he will find a lot of similarities in Greece and Turkey and Im sure he will love it there.
The relationship between Greece and Turkey has been marked by centuries of rivalry and mistrust. Though the two countries have had periods of positive relations, tensions have never been fully resolved. The core issues driving the conflict center around territorial disputes, minority rights, and Turkey’s relationship with the EU. Let’s take a closer look at the key events and factors shaping this complex geopolitical relationship.
Historical Roots of the Rivalry
The Greece-Turkey rivalry has deep historical roots tracing back to the Ottoman conquest of the Byzantine Empire. After Greece gained independence in 1830, tensions emerged over competing territorial ambitions and spheres of influence. Major flashpoints included the Greek War of Independence, the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Greco-Turkish War.
The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne which established modern Turkey also mandated a forced population exchange – over 1.5 million Greeks living in Turkey and 500,000 Turks in Greece were uprooted in an ethnic cleansing campaign. This traumatic event left deep scars and fueled mutual distrust.
Contemporary Issues Driving the Rift
Though Greece and Turkey were allies in NATO during the Cold War several key issues continue to strain relations today
Territorial Disputes in the Aegean
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Greece and Turkey have long feuded over territorial waters, airspace, and exclusive economic zones in the Aegean Sea. Greece claims a 12 nautical mile boundary for its islands, which Turkey contests.
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Turkey has not signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and disputes Greek island rights to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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Military tensions have flared repeatedly over disputed islands and energy exploration rights.
The Unresolved Cyprus Conflict
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Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but ethnic violence erupted in 1974 when Greece backed a coup to unite the island with Greece
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In response, Turkey invaded and still occupies the northern third of Cyprus declaring the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – recognized only by Turkey.
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Cyprus joining the EU in 2004 despite the division further strained EU-Turkey relations.
EU Accession and Minority Rights
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Greece long blocked Turkey’s bid to join the EU, citing human rights, treatment of minorities, and the Cyprus issue.
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Turkey’s large Kurdish minority faces discrimination, and the Greek minority in Istanbul has declined from 200,000 in 1923 to just a few thousand today.
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Greece accuses Turkey of violating minority rights guaranteed under the Lausanne Treaty.
Migration and Asylum Issues
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Greece alleges Turkeyexploit’s Europe’s refugee crisis. Over 1 million migrants and refugees entered Greece from Turkey from 2015-16.
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Turks fleeing persecution form the largest national group seeking asylum in Greece, straining resources.
Do Greeks and Turks Really Hate Each Other?
Despite the geopolitical rivalry and militarized disputes between governments, ordinary Greeks and Turks generally get along well. Millions of Turks visit Greece as tourists every year, attracted by the culture, beaches, and hospitality.
Surveys indicate most citizens on both sides want peace, stability, and compromise. Yet nationalist sentiments linger, fueled by politicians evoking historical grievances for political gain. Resolving territorial disputes and minority rights remains key to building trust and reconciliation between the two peoples.
True reconciliation requires understanding history but not remaining trapped by it. With wisdom and courage, Greece and Turkey can chart a new course based on mutual respect, compromise, and recognizing shared interests that far outweigh the conflicts dividing them.
Why Do Turkey and Greece Hate Each Other
FAQ
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