GREECE AND TURKEY
TO TAKE BILATERAL STEPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Greek Prime Minister Samaras and Prime Minister
Erdoğan have agreed on the
two neighboring nations working in cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
In a joint press conference in Istanbul, Prime
Minister Erdoğan stated, “Greece
has also suffered greatly from terrorism.”

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was joined by 12 Greek ministers, including Foreign
Minister Dimitris Avramopulos for an official trip to Istanbul yesterday. The overriding sentiment
expressed during the Greek prime minister’s stay was for both neighboring
nations to exhibit joint volition in cooperation in all areas.

Samaras began his trip by paying a visit to President Abdullah Gül in the Tarabya
Palace. The meeting was
also attended by EU Minister Egemen Bağış, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and
his Greek counterpart Dimitris Avramopulos. During the meeting, President Gül
expressed his hopes that as Turkey
and Greek relations continue to further strengthen, the Northern
Mediterranean will one day represent a pillar of peace, stability
and friendship in the European Union.

Later, Prime Minister Samaras moved on to the Prime
Ministry Office in Dolmabahçe, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan. Following a one-and-a-half hour meeting between the
two leaders, a second meeting was held between bilateral committees after which
Erdoğan and Samaras participated in a joint press conference.

Prime Minister Erdoğan told reporters that 25
agreements had been signed during this trip in addition to the 22 signed during
their first meeting. Erdoğan told reporters, “I want to define the
strongest tie of the friendly cooperation between our countries as being a
bridge of camaraderie. Our kin in Western Thrace and our citizens of Greek
origin residing in Turkey are a representation of this bridge of camaraderie
between our nations,” said Erdoğan, who went on to express that the
prosperous and happy existence of minorities in both nations will only further
strengthen their bilateral friendship.

‘WE ARE
BUILDING TRUST’

In response to
a question regarding terrorist camps in Greece, Prime Minister Erdoğan
said, “The fight against terrorism is all of our joint problem. Greece
is a country that has experienced significant difficulties in the past due to
terrorism. Our related
ministries will be in closer contact on the issue. Our Interior Ministers as
well as our Foreign Ministries and police departments will be furthering
collaboration and we will be taking joint steps against terrorism. As
for economic areas, we also discussed collective efforts we can embark on. We
also shared the sentiment that these steps need to be taken in the Eastern Mediterranean, on a win-win basis,” stated
Erdoğan.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras expressed his
gratitude for the Turkish hospitality shown to him and said that they held a
productive meeting. “Through careful steps, we are building trust. We are
further developing mutual relations. This is symbolic and shows that Turks and
Greeks have the capability to sit at the same table in order to reach a joint
path,” said Samaras.

One of the
issues that made a mark on the meeting was the presence of terrorist camps in Greece.
Recently in Qatar, Erdoğan
requested Samaras shut down the terrorist camps in Greece and for the nation to
extradite terrorists. However, at that time, Greece refuted the existence of
said camps. According to the information obtained, during the meeting on
Monday, Erdoğan provided Samaras with the names of the terrorists who have
received training at the Lavrion camp as well as footage of the
training center and detailed information on high-level terrorist leaders.
Erdoğan also shared footage of the terrorist who staged the February 1st
suicide bombing on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara
receiving training at the Lavrion Camp. Erdoğan reiterated his request for the
camp’s closure as well as for the extradition of terrorists to Turkey.

“LET’S BURY THE CYPRUS ISSUE IN HISTORY”

Erdoğan also mentioned the situation in Cyprus by stating, “We want to overcome the
problems regarding Cyprus
and bury the issue in history.”

This is a translation of an article
originally written by Stelyo Berberakis, Duygu Güvenç and Mesut Er.