Goodwill not enough to solve Greek-Turkey problems

Simitis, speaking at a press conference in Thessolonica on Sunday, said that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government was willing to solve the Aegean and Cyprus problems. However, while he did not question the AKP’s goodwill, Simitis said more needed to be done.

"In order to reach agreements with Turkey on these critical issues we are waiting for them to take concrete steps," he said.

Simitis also warned that the problems between Turkey and Greece should be resolved ahead of the determining of the date for Turkey’s negotiation process for the European Union membership at the end of 2004.