ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Friday for improvement of commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Greece.
Erdogan, who is paying an official visit to Greece, and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis attended a luncheon hosted in their honor by Turkish-Greek Business Council.
Speaking in the meeting, Erdogan stressed that Turkey and Greece had wide cooperation opportunities in economy, trade and tourism and called on Turkish and Greek businessmen to cooperate since both countries had the potential.
Erdogan stated that Greek origin people were the owners of the place he used to work when he was 12-13 years old.
''I was working there as an apprentice and I used to earn the money I needed to meet my education needs. I met with three ladies when I was coming here. They were born in the same town of Istanbul with me. I spoke to them in Turkish. As we have such common sides, we should build a common future on them. We have this potential,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan pointed out that trade volume between Turkey and Greece was about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars. But, he said, the trade volume was very low.
''When we consider export figures between our countries, we see that it is a bit against Greece. But, when sea transportation is taken into consideration, it is balanced. But, these are not problems. We can increase reciprocal trade to 5 billion U.S. dollars with rapid steps,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that there were significant cooperation opportunities in tourism and joint contracting opportunities especially in the Balkans, Caucasus and Iraq.
Underlining that Turkey and Greece had the political will to further improve economic and commercial relations, Erdogan said that this cooperation of the two countries could constitute an example for the region and the world.
Erdogan stressed that bilateral relations would gain dynamism after Turkey got a date to start negotiations with the European Union (EU).
''Anything can happen in the Balkans at any moment. Some incidents occur in the Middle East in every moment. We can turn our region into a better place with our common steps,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan added that he considered businessmen envoys who could contribute to not only commercial relations but also creating of atmosphere of peace.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan went to Greece on Thursday evening for an official visit as the guest of Caramanlis.
Erdogan attended a ''family dinner'' hosted in his and his wife Emine Erdogan's honor by Caramanlis at Caramanlis' villa.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis welcomed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with an official ceremony in Athens earlier in the day.
Caramanlis and Erdogan held a joint press conference following their meetings.
Erdogan was received by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos and met with Greek Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki.
(BRC-AÖ) 07.05.2004
ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Friday for improvement of commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Greece.
Erdogan, who is paying an official visit to Greece, and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis attended a luncheon hosted in their honor by Turkish-Greek Business Council.
Speaking in the meeting, Erdogan stressed that Turkey and Greece had wide cooperation opportunities in economy, trade and tourism and called on Turkish and Greek businessmen to cooperate since both countries had the potential.
Erdogan stated that Greek origin people were the owners of the place he used to work when he was 12-13 years old.
''I was working there as an apprentice and I used to earn the money I needed to meet my education needs. I met with three ladies when I was coming here. They were born in the same town of Istanbul with me. I spoke to them in Turkish. As we have such common sides, we should build a common future on them. We have this potential,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan pointed out that trade volume between Turkey and Greece was about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars. But, he said, the trade volume was very low.
''When we consider export figures between our countries, we see that it is a bit against Greece. But, when sea transportation is taken into consideration, it is balanced. But, these are not problems. We can increase reciprocal trade to 5 billion U.S. dollars with rapid steps,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that there were significant cooperation opportunities in tourism and joint contracting opportunities especially in the Balkans, Caucasus and Iraq.
Underlining that Turkey and Greece had the political will to further improve economic and commercial relations, Erdogan said that this cooperation of the two countries could constitute an example for the region and the world.
Erdogan stressed that bilateral relations would gain dynamism after Turkey got a date to start negotiations with the European Union (EU).
''Anything can happen in the Balkans at any moment. Some incidents occur in the Middle East in every moment. We can turn our region into a better place with our common steps,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan added that he considered businessmen envoys who could contribute to not only commercial relations but also creating of atmosphere of peace.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan went to Greece on Thursday evening for an official visit as the guest of Caramanlis.
Erdogan attended a ''family dinner'' hosted in his and his wife Emine Erdogan's honor by Caramanlis at Caramanlis' villa.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis welcomed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with an official ceremony in Athens earlier in the day.
Caramanlis and Erdogan held a joint press conference following their meetings.
Erdogan was received by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos and met with Greek Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki.
(BRC-AÖ) 07.05.2004