Greek-Turkish talks to alleviate tension
Turkey-Greece, Politics, 7/22/1999

Greek Foreign Minister Yeoryios Papandreou has announced that his country and Turkey will work to find common ground between them during talks expected to be held by the two countries' officials next week.

In statements published on Monday by the Greek daily Elevithero Tebya, Papandreou said these talks are considered a step in the right direction, despite the fact they will not be maintained on a higher level. He stated that the two sides will work to avoid discussions on main pending issues.

The Greek minister added that the main objective behind the Greek-Turkish talks is to alleviate the tension between their two sides and to bring together their viewpoints to settle more difficult problems facing them.

The Greek foreign minister explained that border disputes in the Aegean sea and the disputes over the question of Cyprus will not be discussed during the talks between Ankara and Athens, noting that each of the two sides has the right to refuse to discuss matters it considers as very sensitive and critical.

Officials at the Greek Foreign Ministry said that the talks, whose first round is expected to be held on Monday or Tuesday, will deal with issues pertaining to tourism, culture, the environment, and fighting crime and terrorism as well as trade relations between the two countries.

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