ISTANBUL - Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu and Greek Public Order Minister Georgios Voulgarakis signed an agreement on cooperation in field of security in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Following a meeting between Turkish and Greek delegations at the Istanbul Governor's Office, Aksu and Voulgarakis held a joint press conference.
Aksu said that they carried out a productive work with guest minister Voulgarakis and Greek delegation with him, stressing that they observed that the progress that the two NATO allied neighboring countries recorded with the dialogue process that had been initiated in recent past was pleasing.
Noting that signing of nearly 25 agreements, protocols and memoranda of understanding since start of dialogue process constituted the most concrete evidence of the enhancement, Aksu said that the agreement which was signed between the two ministries on June 18, 2000 on cooperation in fight against terrorism, organized crimes, illicit drug smuggling and illegal migration constituted proper legal ground for cooperation in field of security.
Aksu said that the ''coordination committee'' which was envisaged in Article 10 of the cooperation agreement in question convened the same day, putting it into practice.
Noting that they agreed to have close cooperation in security matters, Aksu said, ''because both Turkish and Greek officials know that today the world is in need of peace more than ever. We affirmed we are aware that crimes and particularly terrorism which poses threat to international community and peace and stability in the world stand as one of the most serious obstacles in front of this need.''
''We noted that the humanity does have several formulas for paths to peace despite all these threat perceptions. Undoubtedly, sports is one of these formulas. Within this framework, we exchanged information on the Olympic Games in Athens in August. We agreed that there is need for close cooperation in this area. We thought that meetings between experts would be beneficial,'' he said.
Noting that they sought ways to resolve problems faced in prevention of terrorism and especially illegal migration in the meeting, Aksu said that they decided to hold regular meetings on enhancement of bilateral cooperation in those matters after Olympic Games.
''We accept this memorandum of understanding as display of sincere cooperation between Turkey and Greece. We wish that it would constitute the ground for living of Turkish and Greek peoples in peace and tranquility,'' Aksu added.
Voulgarakis said that Greece was going to host 2004 Olympic Games in August and their aim was to give international community best ever Olympics.
Noting that they had been doing their best to host Athens Olympic Games in environment of peace and security, Voulgarakis stressed that Greece needed support of its neighboring countries to the issue.
Olympic Games are going to take place in Greece but they concern whole world. So I came to Istanbul to activate the committee which was formed in accordance with Article 10 of the agreement we signed with Turkey in 2000. We also discussed what Turkey has done about security, he said. Noting that they discussed several issues concerning both Turkey and Greece in the meeting, Voulgarakis said, ''it is a very good period for discussion of matters that will be in favor of both Turkey and Greece. We decided on continuation of our cooperation in the future because there are common issues concerning our two countries. Terrorist organizations and crimes are among these.''
''I invited Mr. Minister to the South European Countries Security Meeting in coming months on cooperation among regional countries in field of security. Our common target is to make Southeast Europe be an area of peace and tranquility. I want to thank Mr. Minister for his hospitality and sincere bilateral meeting. This meeting is the initial step on progress by our two countries towards joint solution,'' the Greek minister said.
(MS-AÖ) 13.07.2004