ATHENS - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul arrived in Athens on Tuesday together with a delegation comprised of Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, businessmen and journalists.

GUL: EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE WHEN THERE IS DESIRE AND WISH
Gul held a joint press conference with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and said Greece and Turkey were resolved to solve problems peacefully and with understanding.
Noting that the determination of both countries was clear, Gul said desires of the peoples of the two countries to turn the Aegean into a sea of peace and improve mutual relations encouraged the governments as well.
Gul said that an important progress had been recorded in relations of both countries since 2000 and that reciprocal visits increased, adding that they would evaluate these relations during his meetings in Greece.
Emphasizing that nearly 20 agreements were signed between two countries in a short time and most of them were currently put into practice, Gul said that important progress was also made in economy and tourism between two countries.
PAPANDREOU: A NEW PAGE IS OPENED BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE
Papandreou said that this was Gul's first official visit to Greece as foreign minister.
Noting that increasing contacts between two countries in recent years were the results of their determination policy, Papandreou said that two countries had taken important steps when compared with previous 40 years.
Papandreou said that they had increased the confidence between two countries step by step and they had signed many agreements, adding that thay had to lay the ground for peoples of two countries to survive together in peace and prosperity. He said that their bilateral relations provided overcoming some problems step by step and prevented bigger problems to occur between two countries.
Papandreou said that they would take up Cyprus issue, Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process and Turkish-Greek relations during meetings with Gul today. Noting that they would also discuss bilateral and regional cooperation and Iraq issue, Papandreou said that they would evaluate cooperation prior to 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
GUL: GREECE WILL HOLD SUCCESSFUL OLYMPIC GAMES
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou showed Gul and Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, who are currently in Athens, the preparations for Olympic Games from helicopter.
Gul told reporters after the tour that they saw not only preparations for Olympic Games but also Athens from the air. He added that there were constructions and development in every part of Athens.
Papandreou said that he was pleased that Gul came to Athens by accepting his invitation and especially that he would sign Olympic Games peace declaration.
Papandreou said that holding Olympic Games in Athens was beneficial for the development of the city and region and also including peace and friendship message in regional aspect.
STEPHANOPOULOS RECEIVES GUL AND UNAKITAN

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos received Gul and Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan.
The meeting was closed to press.
Gul will later sign Olympic Games peace declaration at Greek Foreign Ministry. Following the signing ceremony, Turkish and Greek delegations will convene under the leadership of foreign ministers of two countries.
(GC-AY) 21.10.2003