Greece 'extends' a helping hand to its sworn rival, the strong reason is revealed

Greek officials have launched a series of high-level contacts with the new government in Turkey in an effort to counter an increase in migrant crossings across the river that separates the two countries.

Greek Defense Minister Alkiviades Stephanis held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler on Wednesday, officials in Athens said. This conversation took place a day after the chief diplomats of both countries also held talks.

Guler and other members of the new Turkish Government were appointed after the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Patrols along the Evros River on the Greek side of the border have been intensified, as the water level has recently dropped, allowing more migrants to cross the river.

The two NATO member states have a number of serious disagreements, including disputes over maritime borders in the eastern Mediterranean and efforts to reduce illegal migration to the European Union.

In the past, Greece has accused Turkey of "instrumentalizing" migration to gain concessions from the EU, but officials in both capitals have taken more conciliatory tones in recent months.

Haralambos Lalousis, the Greek minister for justice, said he did not believe Turkey was behind the recent surge in illegal migrant crossings.

"No, I don't think it's Turkey," Lalousis said on Tuesday, before starting his visit to the border areas.

Lalousis, who has been the commander of the Greek army and the commander of the forces stationed in the border region, said the army is assisting the police in patrolling along the border. /REL