Papandreou says Greece opens new page with Turkey

Noting that increasing contacts between two countries in recent years were the results of their determination policy, Papandreou said that two countries had taken important steps when compared with previous 40 years.

Papandreou said that they had increased the confidence between two countries step by step and they had signed many agreements, adding that thay had to lay the ground for peoples of two countries to survive together in peace and prosperity. He said that their bilateral relations provided overcoming some problems step by step and prevented bigger problems to occur between two countries.

Papandreou said that they would take up Cyprus issue, Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership process and Turkish-Greek relations during meetings with Gul today. Noting that they would also discuss bilateral and regional cooperation and Iraq issue, Papandreou said that they would evaluate cooperation prior to 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Tuesday that they opened a new page between Turkey and Greece.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Papandreou held a joint press conference.

Papandreou said that this was Gul’s first official visit to Greece as foreign minister.

Noting that increasing contacts between two countries in recent years were the results of their determination policy, Papandreou said that two countries had taken important steps when compared with previous 40 years.

Papandreou said that they had increased the confidence between two countries step by step and they had signed many agreements, adding that thay had to lay the ground for peoples of two countries to survive together in peace and prosperity. He said that their bilateral relations provided overcoming some problems step by step and prevented bigger problems to occur between two countries.

Papandreou said that they would take up Cyprus issue, Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership process and Turkish-Greek relations during meetings with Gul today. Noting that they would also discuss bilateral and regional cooperation and Iraq issue, Papandreou said that they would evaluate cooperation prior to 2004 Athens Olympic Games.