The autopoiesis of conflict transformation: An example of a ‘Butterfly Effect’ in Greek-Turkish relations

On 17 August 1999, Turkey’s Marmara region was ravaged by one of the century’s most devastating earthquakes. This accidental event has had an unprecedented impact on Greek-Turkish relations. It seems that it has brought Greeks and Turks closer to cooperation than ever. Initially, Greeks were mobilized to gather aid for the victims of the earthquake. During the months after the earthquake, however, this expression of solidarity was transformed to cooperation in a number of fields such as politics, business, trade, arts, education and sports.