Turkish - Greek Business Forum Held In Western Thrace

KOMOTINI - Turkish-Greek Business Forum was held in Western Thrace on Saturday to improve the cooperation between Turkish and Greek businessmen.
Representatives from Turkish and Greek chambers and federations and Turkish businessmen from Western Thrace attended the forum held by the common initiative of Turkish Consulate General in Komotini and Greek Secretariat General of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region.
Turkish-Greek trade and economic cooperation in EU process, EU programmes and concrete business opportunities between Turkish and Greek businessmen were taken up in the two-day meetings held in Komotini and Alexandroupolis cities of Greece.
Addressing the forum, Foreign Ministry's Director of Department of Greece Munis Dirik said that the colder relations between the two peoples turned into common projects which resulted in common benefits as a result of the efforts of Turkish and Greek foreign ministries.
Dirik stated that despite the significant increase in Turkish-Greek trade volume, the potential between the two countries was higher than the existing volume, adding that economic relations could further strengthen by the facilities to be provided to Turkish and Greek businessmen in both countries.
Aris Papadopoulos, the Greek Secretary General of East Macedonia and Thrace said that there was new atmosphere between Turkey and Greece for making cooperation, calling businessmen of two countries to benefit from this opportunity.
Official departments opened their doors due to the positive contacts that continued between the two countries, said Papadopoulos, adding that businessmen should pass through that door.
Turkish Consul General in Komotini Huseyin Avni Botsalý said in his part that the meeting was the first activity held in this region in this form, and that came true due to the utmost efforts launched by both sides.
(ÖS) 24.05.2003