Turkey and Greece, the dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean: A conversation of the deaf?

Turkey and Greece started talks today in Istanbul to resolve the dispute over oil and gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean after a months-long diplomatic crisis, a senior Turkish official told Agence France-Presse.

The same source specified that the Greek diplomatic delegation was received by another man in Turkish diplomacy, Sedat Onal.

Negotiations between Turkey and Greece broke off in 2016 due to rising tensions.

Turkish gas exploration missions in Greek waters in recent months have led to a diplomatic crisis in relations between the two countries without precedent since 1996 when they were on the brink of war.

Although Athens expressed "optimism and hope" and Ankara welcomed the "positive atmosphere", no further progress is expected from these talks.

The two countries failed to agree on a list of topics, which is a sign, as France Press writes, that the talks could turn into a conversation of the deaf.