Turkish, Greek naval chiefs meet amid mutual accusations

ANKARA, Jan 25 (AFP) - The commander of the Greek navy on Tuesday began a visit to neighbouring Turkey amid mutual accusations by the two long-standing rivals of violations of territorial waters.
Admiral Antonios Antoniadis was the guest of Turkish naval commander Admiral Ozden Ornek.
Antoniadis was set to receive a briefing at Turkish naval headquarters, said the semi-official Turkish press agency Anatolia.
The visitor was also scheduled Friday to visit two naval bases at Istanbul and Golcuk.
The two countries have been accusing each other of violations of territorial waters around the Aegean island known in Greek as Imia, and in Turkish as Kardak.
The neighbours, both NATO members, came close to armed hostilities in 1996 because of the tiny desert islet.
The Greek general staff has accused Turkish vessels of intruding into Greek waters, while the Turks have denied this.

01/25/2005 16:16 GMT - AFP