ANKARA - Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece said on Tuesday that Greece had always been supporting further development of relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU), and would continue to do so.
Papandreou who came to Ankara to hold a series of contacts, responded questions of journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.
Noting that great achievements were recorded in the last few years in further improving relations between Turkey and Greece, Papandreou said that his visit to Ankara aims at assuring the new government that Greece would maintain the same relations.
Recalling that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis had paid a visit to Greece a while ago, Papandreou said, ''during his visit to Greece, Erdogan talked about strategical relations between Turkey and Greece. His statement was of great importance for our bilateral relations.''
Noting that the EU would take important decisions about itself and its relations with Turkey in the coming days, Papandreou said that a new opportunity had emerged to solve the Cyprus question.
Pointing out that the EU would decide whether or not it would set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey at its Copenhagen Summit, Papandreou added, ''Greece has played a positive and influential role about setting a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey so far. It is determined to play the same role at Copenhagen Summit. We support Turkey's EU membership progress. Greece will take over EU term presidency in January of 2003. Greece wants to set up good relations with all its neighbors, especially with Turkey.''
Papandreou is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal on Wednesday.
Papandreou will depart from Ankara the same day after meeting with former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.