ISTANBUL - Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece said on Monday that problems of Turkey were at the same time problems of Greece, adding that a powerful, peaceful and prosperous Turkey would be beneficial for Greece.
Speaking at a conference on ''Turkey and Greece: Leaving the Past Behind, Looking at Future'' held at Istanbul's Bilgi University in order to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Turkey and Greece, Papandreou said that initiative of Turkish academic society would constitute a model to Greek academic society.
Highlighting importance of giving authority to young generations with the aim of further developing peace and cooperation, Papandreou stressed that politicians and academicians should rely on young generations.
He stressed that education laid beneath peace.
Papandreou thanked former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who also attended the conference, and said that they had worked together for a long time and recorded important progress in relations between Turkey and Greece as a result of Cem's common sense.
Referring to relations between Turkey and Greece, Papandreou highlighted importance of securing confidence between the two countries.
Noting that there were some important difficulties between Turkey and Greece in the past, he said there were still some problems in front of them waiting for solution. He added that both countries should benefit from their relations.
Stressing that problems of Turkey were at the same time problems of Greece, Papandreou noted that a powerful, peaceful and prosperous Turkey would be beneficial for Greece.
He said that Turkey and Greece had overcome serious crises in the past and these crises had brought the two countries to the threshold of war.
Noting that Turkey and Greece should give up crisis diplomacy, Papandreou said that a ground for a more serious understanding should be formed.
(UK-AÖ) 14.07.2003