ISTANBUL - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that they had a very useful and sincere meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
Speaking to reporters with Papandreou after their meeting, Gul said that they had lunch with Papandreou and that their meeting was an unofficial one.
Gul stated that they came together with his counterpart who was in Turkey for the meeting in Bilgi University, adding that they reviewed everything with him. ''We reviewed many issues from Turkish-Greek relations to international issues. We had the opportunity to discuss many things,'' said Gul.
Recalling that 2004 Olympic Games would be held in Athens, Gul said that they also took up the cooperation opportunities between the two countries regarding the Games.
Responding to questions of journalists about ''continental shelf,'' Gul said that diplomats both in Greece and Turkey carried out studies about it.
Upon a question asking if the problems voiced by Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos were taken up in the meeting, Gul said that he had an appointment with Bartholomeos which would take place soon.
When reminded about the statement of Labour Party (IP) leader Dogu Perincek who claimed that Turkey made an agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Gul denied the claim.
(Öª-AÖ) 14.07.2003