President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on an official visit to Athens for the fifth meeting of the Turkey-Greece High Level Cooperation Council. Prior to his meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakelaropoulou, Erdoğan said, “A new era with Greece begins with strength.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan started his contacts in Greece, where he arrived after 6 years. After landing at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, Erdoğan moved to the Greek Presidency and was welcomed by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
“IT WOULD BE BETTER TO SPEAK FROM THE GLASS HALF FULL”
Making a statement to the press before the meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Erdoğan said: “I am happy to be here after 6 years. First of all, I believe that our 5th High Level Strategic Council meeting will be instrumental in the continuation of a new era between Turkey and Greece. We are here today with a large delegation of ministers. Our ministers will have very meaningful and conscious meetings with each other and with their counterparts. The goal is to increase the trade volume of 5.5 billion dollars between us to 10 billion dollars. We will discuss what steps we can take in which areas in this regard.”
Stating that the preliminary preparations have been made by all ministers, Erdoğan said, “We will sign with them and continue on the road in a much more meaningful and safe way. I believe that speaking with the glass half full will be much more beneficial for the future.”
Greek President Katerina Sakelaropoulou made the following statements before the bilateral meeting:
Tragic events have been able to show us the quality they have in common. It is a sense of humanity on both sides. In the light of this observation, it helps us and provides a solid basis for further bilateral talks and the recent positive development of the tense atmosphere.
If we take a look at what is happening around us, we need to work together as two countries, to advance these values based on peace, prosperity and respect for the law. More than ever, it is essential that we develop common political will. We are aware that there are different approaches on various issues. Being able to make relations work will preserve and advance peace.
With these thoughts, Mr. President, I would like to ask you to convey our wishes of peace to the friendly people of Turkey. I wish you success in the work of the high-level cooperation council.
