- Title: GREECE: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrives for talks
- Date: 15th May 2010
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (MAY 14, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF HOTEL WHERE THE DELEGATIONS WILL MEET VARIOUS OF POLICE OUTSIDE HOTEL POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE CARS OUTSIDE ENTRANCE POLICE CHECKING PEOPLE GOING IN VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS
- Embargoed: 30th May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA3FKDP6LY7HQGSABCR4WUFTQ7I
- Story Text: Greece's debt crisis may lead to improved ties with its old rival Turkey as the prime ministers of the two countries meet to discuss issues from cuts in defence spending, to financial crisis management.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Athens on Friday (May 14) where he will hold talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou on a range of issues from immigration and tourism to the economy, and both are expected to sign a series of cooperation agreements.
It is the first official visit by a Turkish prime minister since 2004. Erdogan is accompanied by 10 ministers and 80 businessmen.
He and Papandreou will chair a joint cabinet meeting with seven Greek ministers on issues that will include foreign affairs, transport and infrastructure, tourism, culture, education, police and emergency services, energy and the environment.
Greece and Turkey are meeting under draconian security measures in talks described as bringing in a new era for the two historical rivals.
Police forces were guarding the main hotel venue where the delegations of the two leaders will meet, while police on foot and motorbike were scattered around the capital.
Officials are calling it a new start for Greek -Turkish relations, two historical foes with disagreements in the Aegean Sea and Cyprus that have also created public animosity.
With debt-choked Greece undergoing austerity measures, both Ankara and Athens have said they want to achieve the goal of demilitarising the Aegean as a way of cutting defence spending. Greece, which spends more of its gross domestic product on the military than any other European Union country, has said it also wants to reduce regional tensions with Turkey. It forecasts cutting its defence budget by at least two percent.
Greece and Turkey nearly came to blows in 1996 over an uninhabited Aegean islet. The two have skirmished over Turkey's occupation of Cyprus and territorial rights in the Aegean.
But ties have improved since 1999, when earthquakes in both countries sparked spontaneous outpourings of aid and prompted their leaders to improve relations and sign accords.
Erdogan is likely to solicit Papandreou's help to push through a solution for the reunification of the divided island of Cyprus, long an obstacle to Turkey's EU membership aspirations.
Greece says it wants to see changes in behaviour from Turkey in areas such as overflights and air space violations. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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