http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-fm-extends-olive-branch-to-greece-2009-12-06
Turkish FM extends olive branch to Greece
Sunday, December 6, 2009
CHRIS LOUTRADIS
ATHENS - Hürriyet Daily News
Greece and Turkey should learn to live together since both countries
share the same air and the same sea, Turkey’s foreign minister said on
Sunday in an interview with Greek Public Television.
“The people of the two nations will benefit if we solve all our
problems,” Ahmet Davutoğlu said.
Turkey is keen to join the European Union but is at odds with Greece
and the European Union over its policy on the war-divided island of
Cyprus. The territorial dispute in the Aegean Sea also complicates
already tense relations between the neighbors.
Both countries have recently moved to restore ties after PASOK leader
George Papandreou took office as prime minister. In an interview with
Greece’s Ta Nea daily, Davutoğlu said the two nations must overcome
the differences that have bound them and made them “slaves” for
years.
Davutoğlu said the Turkish and Turkish Cypriots governments have been
working for a peaceful solution on Cyprus.
“During the Annan Plan, Turkey and Turkish Cyprus were ready to move
forward in a prosperous era of cooperation and friendship. But the
Greek Cypriots did not want a peaceful resolution during this period,”
Davutoğlu said, referring to U.N.-backed plan that was accepted by the
Turkish side but rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004.
Meanwhile, Greece’s deputy defense minister said his country still
supports Turkey’s EU membership bid in a statement regarding
Davutoğlu’s remarks on Greek television.
“Greece supports Turkey's candidacy but wants Turkey to abide to the
EU's guidelines as well,” Panos Mpeglitis said. “Furthermore, it is
very interesting that Turkey has changed his opinion with regard
Cyprus and also supports a solution based in a mutual confederation
and not a two-state solution.”
rick murphy wrote:
> If Greeks want to normalize relations and establish a long lasting
> peace with Turkiye, they have to get rid of Greek anti-Turkish Hatred
> industry.
>
>
> http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-fm-extends-olive-branch-to-greece-2009-12-06
>
> Turkish FM extends olive branch to Greece
>
> Sunday, December 6, 2009
> CHRIS LOUTRADIS
> ATHENS - H�rriyet Daily News
>
>
> Greece and Turkey should learn to live together since both countries
> share the same air and the same sea, Turkey's foreign minister said on
> Sunday in an interview with Greek Public Television.
>
> "The people of the two nations will benefit if we solve all our
> problems," Ahmet Davutoglu said.
>
> Turkey is keen to join the European Union but is at odds with Greece
> and the European Union over its policy on the war-divided island of
> Cyprus. The territorial dispute in the Aegean Sea also complicates
> already tense relations between the neighbors.
>
> Both countries have recently moved to restore ties after PASOK leader
> George Papandreou took office as prime minister. In an interview with
> Greece's Ta Nea daily, Davutoglu said the two nations must overcome
> the differences that have bound them and made them "slaves" for
> years.
>
> Davutoglu said the Turkish and Turkish Cypriots governments have been
> working for a peaceful solution on Cyprus.
>
> "During the Annan Plan, Turkey and Turkish Cyprus were ready to move
> forward in a prosperous era of cooperation and friendship. But the
> Greek Cypriots did not want a peaceful resolution during this period,"
> Davutoglu said, referring to U.N.-backed plan that was accepted by the
> Turkish side but rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004.
>
> Meanwhile, Greece's deputy defense minister said his country still
> supports Turkey's EU membership bid in a statement regarding
> Davutoglu's remarks on Greek television.