George Papandreou, Greece’s new prime minister, on Friday made an unexpected visit to Istanbul for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed at re-invigorating bilateral relations.

The choice of Turkey, a formerly hostile neighbour, for Mr Papandreou’s first visit abroad following his Socialist party’s sweeping victory at last Sunday’s election was made for both symbolic and practical reasons, according to Greek and Turkish officials.