Greek, Turkish PMs hold telephone discussion

September 26, 2011

Greek prime minister George Papandreou called for self-restraint and calm with respect to security issues in the Middle East, adding that Cyprus, as a sovereign state, has the right to decide on its actions and stressing that unilateral actions that could create problems in the region should be avoided, in a telephone contact on Monday with Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Greek government spokesman Elias Mossialos.

The spokesman, during an informal press briefing, said that the Papandreou-Erdogan discussion had not been impromptu but took place in view of the meeting the two premiers had been scheduled to have in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The two premiers discussed, inter alia, the efforts for a Cyprus solution under the condition that there are undisturbed and constructive talks.

Papandreou and Erdogan further discussed the prospect of bilateral Greece-Turkey meetings, given the existence of the High Level interministerial council, Mossialos said, adding that the two premiers agreed that the council will be activated in late October or early November.

The council had initially been scheduled to take place in June, but was postponed due to elections in Turkey.

What Greece always aspires to is a functional relationship with Turkey, and hopes that the situation in end-October or early November will be such as to allow planning to go to Turkey for such a meeting, Mossialos added.

The two premiers further discussed economic relations between their countries, with the focus on exports, tourism and health.

Source: athensnews.gr