ATHENS (AA) - Turkish-Greek relations are satisfactory, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in interviews with Greek ''Ethnos'' and ''Elefteros Tipos'' dailies.
In his interviews with the Greek dailies, Erdogan said that Greece's support to Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid was also satisfactory.
Erdogan stated that atmosphere of cooperation was created after a long tense period between the two countries, thanks to the intense efforts of the Turkish and Greek governments and nations.
PM Erdogan hoped that dialogue and cooperation between two countries would be further improved.
Erdogan said, ''Greece has reiterated its support to Turkey's EU membership in many occasions. We believe that Greece will continue this support during (Turkey's) membership negotiations.''
Referring to developments in Cyprus, Erdogan noted that (April 24th) simultaneous referenda in Cyprus indicated that two separate nations, who had the right to self-determination, were living in the island.
Erdogan said that it was not possible for Turkey to accept the Greek Cypriot administration as the only and legitimate government in the entire island, stating that Cyprus problem could be solved within the framework of the good offices of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, not within the scope of Europe, since Turkey and Turkish Cypriots were not a member of the EU.
Touching on the seminary in Heybeliada, Erdogan said that the seminary was closed in 1971 as a part of legal arrangements related with private universities and religious education.
Stating that all Turkish citizens had religious freedom, Erdogan said that a method was carefully being searched for education of clergymen of Greek Orthodox citizens under laws in practice.
Erdogan said that Turkey had taken serious steps to adjust to the (EU) requirements, and would implement the adopted reforms, adding that the critical decision the EU would make tomorrow (Friday) would shape up Turkey's relations with the EU.
(BRC-A֩
2004-12-16