Main issues between Greece and Turkey unresolved despite "big step
forward" in relations
May 16, 2010 – 16:00 AMT 11:00 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –
The Greek and Turkish governments hailed a "big step forward" in their
relations on Friday, the first day in Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s stay in Athens, which he said marked "a historic
moment".
The two governments agreed to set up a council to hold regular
meetings between the two countries’ leaders and their cabinet
ministers, and inked pacts on the economy, immigration, energy and
other issues.
"I am confident that the novel and courageous step we are attempting
today can pay off because the will is there," Greek Prime Minister
George Papandreou said at a joint news conference with Erdogan on
Friday.
The two countries also signed a number of deals, including an accord
allowing illegal migrants coming from Turkey to Greece to be sent
back, an issue that has been a major source of discord between the
arch-rivals.
Still, calls to reduce arms in both countries were left unanswered on
Friday during Erdogan’s first official visit to the Greek capital
since 2004, AFP reported.