Turkey's Foreign Minister Meets His Greek Counterpart In New York

NEW YORK - The Turkish foreign minister had a meeting with his Greek counterpart in New York on Saturday.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan met Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni at the Greek Permanent Representation to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
"We have encouraged the two leaders in Cyprus to shape up their talks as soon as possible, and reach a comprehensive solution," Babacan told reporters after his one-hour meeting with Bakoyianni.
Babacan said the two leaders in Cyprus were willing to solve the problem, defined it a historic opportunity, and extended Turkey's support for negotiations.
The Turkish foreign minister also said that he discussed with Bakoyianni the situation in the Caucasus, and Turkey's efforts to bring peace to the region.
Babacan said Caucasus was a matter of concern for Turkey, and also said he saw that Greece was concerned and uneasy about those regional developments.
Also speaking to reporters, Bakoyianni reiterated their will to improve bilateral relations, and said Greece and Turkey were encouraging the two leaders to work for a solution of the Cyprus problem.
After the meeting, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin told reporters that Bakoyianni supported Turkey's EU membership bid and welcomed Turkey's recent initiatives regarding international relations and matters.
(BRC)
(DIP)