ISTANBUL, Jan 30 (A.A) - Turkish-Greek Business Council Chairman Sarik Tara hosted a dinner on Tuesday in honor of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Magriotis.
Magriotis's wife Fotini Magriotis, Tara's wife Lale Tara and other guests in the Greek delegation attended the dinner at the ENKA Social Facilities in Istinye, Istanbul.
Speaking to Greek reporters prior to the dinner, Tara said that positive developments in the Turkish-Greek relations in recent period had increased after the earthquake disasters but the foundation of these positive developments had been laid during the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers' meeting in New York, the United States.
Noting that as the business world, they attributed great importance to improvement of friendship between Turkey and Greece, Tara said, ''this is wanted by also all Turkish citizens. This is very important. Ninety-eight percent of Turkey is in favor of Turkish-Greek friendship.''
Responding a question about the Cyprus issue, Tara said, ''the problem is solved when it is accepted that Turks on Cyprus are not a minority.''
GREEK DEPUTY FM MAGRIOTIS ATTENDS A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN ISTANBUL
Magriotis attended a religious ceremony which was performed at the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul on Wednesday to celebrate ''Trion Lerarhon'' feast.
Magriotis, who is currently paying a private visit to Istanbul, his wife Fotini Magriotis and accompanying delegation were welcomed by clergymen at the Patriarchate.
Greek Consul General in Istanbul Panos Kalogeropoulos, community members and students of Fener Greek Orthodox Highschool also attended the ceremony.
Responding questions of reporters after the ceremony, Magriotis said that he was very pleased to be with people of his nation and to be here on a religious day.
''Today is a good and beatiful day. Just like this beautiful weather, I hope that the atmosphere between the Turkish and Greek people would also be beautiful,'' he said.
Responding a question about his opinion on Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU), Magriotis said that Greece had already announced its support to Turkey's EU membership, adding, ''Greece is doing whatever it has to do regarding the matter. We have common points as the two neighboring countries. I hope that our demands would always be in the same way.''
Later, Magrioti and accompanying delegation attended a luncheon hosted by Patriarch Barthalomeos.