"We expect Greece to change her education curriculum"

Celik and National Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou of Greece attended Education and Friendship Conference at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul on Saturday.

Celik said, "we have pursue various activities within the scope of developing friendly relations between Turkey and Greece. In education area, two countries agreed to remove expressions from textbooks which arouse grudge and hatred."

"Historical events should be considered with today’s values, not past paradigms. Thus, there will be no problem between Turkey and Greece," said Celik.

Celik noted, "we have changed our education curriculum. We expect Greece to do the same thing. Of course we have problems such as Cyprus and Aegean issues. However, that does not mean we cannot solve other problems."

Yiannakou-Koutsikou said, "education is like to start construction from ground. If we do like that, we will solve our problems from the beginning."

"Differences of religion and language should be considered as a uniting element. If Turkey becomes EU member, this cooperation will become easier," she added.

Yiannakou-Koutsikou noted, "another important issue is training of teachers. Thus, various seminars will be held for this aim."

"Textbooks of Greece will completely change in 2006. I accept that current textbook include problems and they should be changed," she added.