ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ``since it came to power, our government has been exerting efforts to enhance bilateral relations with Greece and spread our cooperation to every possible field.``
Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis held a joint news conference on Friday.
Stressing that he was pleased to be in ``beautiful country`` Greece on an official visit upon invitation of Caramanlis, Erdogan expressed his pleasure with the hospitality and interest shown towards him and his entourage since they had arrived in Athens late on Thursday.
Noting that they had talked about a number of similarities between the Turkish and Greek cultures during tete-a-tete meeting and meetings between delegations today and dinner last night, Erdogan said that meetings had focused on bilateral relations in addition to relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) and developments in the Balkans, Middle East and Caucasus.
Stressing that process of rapprochement and cooperation between Turkey and Greece had been progressing satisfactorily for the five years, Erdogan said, ``however, a Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey is paying an official visit to Greece for the first time since 1988. I am happy to do it. Signing of twenty-five agreements in last five years displays the speed of enhancement. It will be accelerated during our term in office.``
``During this process, Turkish-Greek relations will be further developed and strengthened with the will and determination that our two governments will display in addition to the support of our two peoples. The performance that Turkish and Greek peoples will display will be the cause of swift enhancement of our bilateral relations. I believe that this process will be accelerated with the political will that we will display,`` Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that they were following with pleasure the efforts and desires of various sectors, especially businessmen and non-governmental organizations, of Greece and Turkey to convene and make cooperation.
Noting that they have seen this every place they have visited, Erdogan said that cultural contacts increased significantly and this would provide peoples of both countries with the opportunity to know each other more closely.
Noting that Turkish government has been exerting efforts to develop bilateral relations with Greece and to extend the cooperation to a possible field, Erdogan said that it was pleasing that Caramanlis and his government had the same approach.
Erdogan said that the suggestion of Caramanlis to establish a full strategical partnership between two countries was very important and added that he thanked Caramanlis for the support of Greek government for Turkey`s EU accession process.
Erdogan said that another issue which was pleasing for him was that two countries could discuss the existing problems between each other. He added that direct meetings between two countries not only at prime ministers level, but also ministerial level and bureaucrats level would speed up EU process as well.
Erdogan said that two countries had the necessary political will to solve the problems between each other rapidly and permanently.
Asked if opening of Heybeliada seminary was on Turkish government`s agenda, Erdogan said that the prior duty of politicians was to solve problems.
Erdogan noted that issues concerning Heybeliada seminary was on their agenda to this end.
Two sides were in an effort to solve problems since they both have this political will, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said, ``because, we don`t want to transfer the issues to the future.``
Asked if the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government would abolish Turkey`s decision that violation of 12 nautical miles of its territorial waters would be considered casus belli, with its numerical majority at the parliament, Erdogan said that concerned sides continued efforts on this issue.
Erdogan expressed belief that they would reach somewhere as a result of efforts of political directors.
``There are problems today stemming from the past. These problems have not ended yet. Our duty is to overcome them. We are determined to overcome these problems. We wish that we will totally end these problems,`` Erdogan added.
(MS-GC-BRC-AÖ) 07.05.2004
ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ``since it came to power, our government has been exerting efforts to enhance bilateral relations with Greece and spread our cooperation to every possible field.``
Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis held a joint news conference on Friday.
Stressing that he was pleased to be in ``beautiful country`` Greece on an official visit upon invitation of Caramanlis, Erdogan expressed his pleasure with the hospitality and interest shown towards him and his entourage since they had arrived in Athens late on Thursday.
Noting that they had talked about a number of similarities between the Turkish and Greek cultures during tete-a-tete meeting and meetings between delegations today and dinner last night, Erdogan said that meetings had focused on bilateral relations in addition to relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) and developments in the Balkans, Middle East and Caucasus.
Stressing that process of rapprochement and cooperation between Turkey and Greece had been progressing satisfactorily for the five years, Erdogan said, ``however, a Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey is paying an official visit to Greece for the first time since 1988. I am happy to do it. Signing of twenty-five agreements in last five years displays the speed of enhancement. It will be accelerated during our term in office.``
``During this process, Turkish-Greek relations will be further developed and strengthened with the will and determination that our two governments will display in addition to the support of our two peoples. The performance that Turkish and Greek peoples will display will be the cause of swift enhancement of our bilateral relations. I believe that this process will be accelerated with the political will that we will display,`` Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that they were following with pleasure the efforts and desires of various sectors, especially businessmen and non-governmental organizations, of Greece and Turkey to convene and make cooperation.
Noting that they have seen this every place they have visited, Erdogan said that cultural contacts increased significantly and this would provide peoples of both countries with the opportunity to know each other more closely.
Noting that Turkish government has been exerting efforts to develop bilateral relations with Greece and to extend the cooperation to a possible field, Erdogan said that it was pleasing that Caramanlis and his government had the same approach.
Erdogan said that the suggestion of Caramanlis to establish a full strategical partnership between two countries was very important and added that he thanked Caramanlis for the support of Greek government for Turkey`s EU accession process.
Erdogan said that another issue which was pleasing for him was that two countries could discuss the existing problems between each other. He added that direct meetings between two countries not only at prime ministers level, but also ministerial level and bureaucrats level would speed up EU process as well.
Erdogan said that two countries had the necessary political will to solve the problems between each other rapidly and permanently.
Asked if opening of Heybeliada seminary was on Turkish government`s agenda, Erdogan said that the prior duty of politicians was to solve problems.
Erdogan noted that issues concerning Heybeliada seminary was on their agenda to this end.
Two sides were in an effort to solve problems since they both have this political will, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said, ``because, we don`t want to transfer the issues to the future.``
Asked if the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government would abolish Turkey`s decision that violation of 12 nautical miles of its territorial waters would be considered casus belli, with its numerical majority at the parliament, Erdogan said that concerned sides continued efforts on this issue.
Erdogan expressed belief that they would reach somewhere as a result of efforts of political directors.
``There are problems today stemming from the past. These problems have not ended yet. Our duty is to overcome them. We are determined to overcome these problems. We wish that we will totally end these problems,`` Erdogan added.
(MS-GC-BRC-AÖ) 07.05.2004