ISTANBUL - Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni, currently in Istanbul to participate in Balkan Policy Club 4th International Conference, visited on Friday Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna.
Speaking after the meeting, Gurtuna said friendship initiatives, which had been launched between the two cities earlier, turned into a friendship approach in time.
Stating that Bakoyanni was newly elected as the Mayor of Athens, Gurtuna said, `her approach to improve friendship bridge effected me deeply`.
Gurtuna said Bakoyanni and he decided to improve relations between the two cities on culture, art, economy and sports, stating that this would lead to positive relations between the peoples of the two countries.
Stating that Istanbul and Athens could also cooperate in tourism, Gurtuna said he wanted to visit Athens where Olympic games would take place.
Athens Mayor Bakoyanni said her visit was important to improve cooperation between the two cities, noting that she invited Gurtuna to Athens to observe preparations in Athens where 2004 Olympic games would take place.
Replying questions of reporters, Bakoyanni said Greek people knew that there were close relations between Turkish and Greek peoples. She said Greek government knew that there is a future for Turkey in Europe, stating that future in Europe should take place after solving the problems stemming from the past.
She said Cyprus problem should also be solved, stating that she believed people of the two countries want to live together. Bakoyanni said the problems could be solved with good will, and that the two countries would have a joint Europe future.
(AY-MS) 30.05.2003