Turkish - Greek talks in Ankara
Turkey-Greece, Politics, 9/17/1999

In atmospheres that reflect an improvement in bilateral relations, an official at the Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that Turkish and Greek delegations started talks on Wednesday in Ankara which will last for two days on means of boosting bilateral relations.

A diplomatic source said the meeting is being held on the level of ambassadors and will concentrate on regional cooperation, cultural and security cooperation and fighting organized crime and terrorism.

This is, however, the third meeting since Greek Foreign Minister Yeoryios Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart, Ismael Cem, announced in June that it is time for the two countries who are members in NATO to improve their relations which have been tense for decades.

Last week the spokesman for the Greek government, Demitris Rebas, said the atmospheres have been improved, thanks to the solidarity expressed by the two countries following the two earthquakes which hit Turkey and Greece.

Conflict has been continuous between the two countries for several decades over several issues, including Cyprus, airspace, territorial waters and sovereignty over certain islands in the Aegean Sea.

Previous Stories:
  European pressures on Greece to pass financial aid to Turkey   (9/3/1999)
  Greece accuses Ankara of creating tension   (7/23/1999)
  Greek-Turkish talks to alleviate tension   (7/22/1999)

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