BODRUM - ''The earthquakes in Turkey and Greece have speeded up the rapprochement between two countries. As of April, 2006, direct flights from Izmir to Greek islands will begin,'' said chairman of the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce Panagiotis Koutsikos today.
Koutsikos, secretary general of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Turkish-Greek Business Council and chairman of the Greek-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce visited the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce on Friday.
Aside from the beginning of direct flights from Izmir to Greek islands, Turkish-Greek relations would be boosted by the opening of a Turkish-Greek bank in June, 2006. ''The bank already has a capital of 110 million Euro. A total of 26 branches will be inaugurated in Turkey and Greece (13 branches in each country). The first three branches in Turkey will be opened in Izmir. We wish to develop commercial ties with Turkey in all areas, including tourism. Greece buys many products from Turkey,'' noted Koutsikos.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mahmut Serdar Kocadon has indicated that the easiest and shortest way leading to a lasting peace is to develop commercial relations.
''Greek businessmen can help their Turkish counterparts in marketing Turkish products in the European Union while the Turkish business community can assist Greek businessmen in selling Greek products to Turkish republics of Central Asia,'' stressed Kocadon.