Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Mangriotis In Istanbul

ISTANBUL (A.A) - 01.05.2002 - Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Mangriotis of Greece met Turkish-Greek Business Council Chairman Sarik Tara on Wednesday.
Responding questions of reporters during the meeting held at the Greek Consulate General in Istanbul, Tara said that there should absoluetely be Turkish-Greek friendship and he had been expending efforrs for twenty years to this end.
''There is not any alternative. Otherwise, both sides treat their nations unjustly,'' he said.
Noting that the atmosphere between the two countries had changed incredibly after the meeting held between the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers in New York, the United States, Tara said that this friendship's foundation had been laid in Davos.
Tara said that Greek businessmen made investments in Turkey and Turkish businessmen were thinking what they could do in Greece, adding that those were very good developments.
''The bilateral trade volume is now thre billion U.S. dollars and if we expend more efforts, it reaches twenty-five billion U.S. dollars,'' Tara noted.
Stating that there were also very close cultural relations between the two countries in addition to good economic relations, Tara stressed that Ibrahim Kutluay of Turkey was playing for the best basketball club in Greece.
Tara added that neither Turkey nor Greek politicians should use relations between Turkey and Greece in internal politics.
Meanwhile, Mangriotis said that the two countries had economic and commercial cooperation and this cooperation focused mainly on energy sector.
Ioannis Mangriotis added that the Greek Finance Minister would visit Turkey next week to hold several contacts.
GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MANGRIOTIS VISITS FENER ORTHODOX PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEOS
Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Mangriotis on Wednesday visited Fener Orthodox Patriarch I Bartholomeos.
Speaking at the visit, Mangriotis said he felt great honor that Bartholomeos received him.
Mangriotis, who later responded to the questions of reporters, pointed out that support of the Greek government regarding Turkey's inclusion to the European Union (EU) always continued.
When asked whether or not he would have any contacts regarding opening of Theology School in Heybeliada, Mangriotis said this was an issue not only covering Turkish-Greek relations, but concerns all the world. He said he would have contacts regarding the opening of the school.
Responding to a question if hope for confederation was given up during the talks on Cyprus, Mangriotis said dialogue continued, stressing that he believed that the problem would be solved within the framework of international law.
When asked about the expectations waited from Denktas, Mangriotis said the proposals made by Denktas so far were not so good that would bring solution.
Mangriotis said he hoped that solution of the problem would be provided with understanding. He said the thesis defended by Denktas contradicted with the expectations of the U.N. and the EU, and added that they wanted Denktas to consider in a way that will yield in results.