Ankara is ready to fully support any initiatives aimed at strengthening friendly relations with Greece.
This was said by the Head of the Directorate of Relations under the Administration of the President of Turkey Fakhretin Altun in a video message to participants in the Turkish-Greek Forum of the media and scientific circles in Athens.
The event on the topic “bilateral relations from the point of view of culture and sports” is organized with the cooperation of the Turkic research fund and the Greek Institute of Global Relations.
Altun expressed the hope that the forum would contribute to the deepening of dialogue and understanding, as well as the development of cooperation between two friendly countries.
He emphasized that Ankara and Athens need to listen more and show understanding regarding each other’s positions.
“aspects uniting two long -standing neighbors, much more than those that are disconnected. The establishment of a closer dialogue is especially relevant in our region, in which we have to deal with wars, tension and risks such as illegal migration. Under these conditions. This is not just a desire, but the duty of two neighboring countries from the same geography, ”the head of the department explained.
Fahretin Altun recalled the one after the seven -year break of the historical visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athena in Athens. According to him, this visit has become one of the most specific indicators of a positive dialogue between Turkey and Greece.
He noted that the Athenian Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Village, signed as part of a visit by Prime Minister of Greece Kiriakos Mitsikatis and President Erdogan, laid a foundation for cooperation and dialogue between two countries in all areas.
Altun indicated that the response of Mitsikitisa to Turkey on May 13, 2024, which was following the visit of President Erdogan to Athens, further strengthened the foundations of the principles of friendly relations and good neighborliness set forth in the Athenian Declaration.