ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that current process on solution of Aegean issue continued positively.
Erdogan, who is paying an official visit to Greece, visited martyrs cemetery for Turkish soldiers in Pireaus district of Athens.
Erdogan said that they were ready for strategic partnership with Greece and noted that Greek officials said that they were ready for it as well.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis was determined on Turkey's European Union (EU) membership and noted that former Greek administration also assumed a positive attitude for Turkey.
Erdogan said that almost all heads of state gave positive signals about Turkey's EU membership during the EU enlargement ceremony in Dublin, Ireland and added that adjustment package was about to be completed.
When asked whether or not Aegean issue would be solved by the end of 2004, Erdogan said, ''technical staff have been working on the issue. Current process continues in a positive way. After those studies are completed, we will examine them.''
Replying to a question on strategic partnership between Turkey and Greece, Erdogan said that the two countries showed their will to take a decision on acting together especially on strategic issues and noted, ''we are ready for it. They also said that they are ready for it.''
Asked if he discussed with Caramanlis whether or not Copenhagen criteria would be implemented regarding Western Thracian Turks, Erdogan said that they would be in favor of solution and stated that Caramanlis had a similar view.
Asked whether or not he would attend opening ceremony of Olympic Games which would be held in Athens this year, Erdogan said that he would attend the opening ceremony.
Replying to another question, Erdogan said that he invited Caramanlis to Turkey.
(EÖ-AÖ) 07.05.2004
ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that current process on solution of Aegean issue continued positively.
Erdogan, who is paying an official visit to Greece, visited martyrs cemetery for Turkish soldiers in Pireaus district of Athens.
Erdogan said that they were ready for strategic partnership with Greece and noted that Greek officials said that they were ready for it as well.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis was determined on Turkey's European Union (EU) membership and noted that former Greek administration also assumed a positive attitude for Turkey.
Erdogan said that almost all heads of state gave positive signals about Turkey's EU membership during the EU enlargement ceremony in Dublin, Ireland and added that adjustment package was about to be completed.
When asked whether or not Aegean issue would be solved by the end of 2004, Erdogan said, ''technical staff have been working on the issue. Current process continues in a positive way. After those studies are completed, we will examine them.''
Replying to a question on strategic partnership between Turkey and Greece, Erdogan said that the two countries showed their will to take a decision on acting together especially on strategic issues and noted, ''we are ready for it. They also said that they are ready for it.''
Asked if he discussed with Caramanlis whether or not Copenhagen criteria would be implemented regarding Western Thracian Turks, Erdogan said that they would be in favor of solution and stated that Caramanlis had a similar view.
Asked whether or not he would attend opening ceremony of Olympic Games which would be held in Athens this year, Erdogan said that he would attend the opening ceremony.
Replying to another question, Erdogan said that he invited Caramanlis to Turkey.
(EÖ-AÖ) 07.05.2004