Turkish Foreign minister on Greek PM's statements

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking after the conclusion of the 3rd annual conference of Turkish ambassadors to which Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou had been invited, said that "Mr. Papandreou's participation (in the conference of the Turkish ambassadors in Erzurum) proves on what a right path our relations are on." 

 

 Davutoglu added that "we shall overcome psychological obstacles in this way" and that Turkey has the will to lead its relations with neighbouring countries to the highest level. 

 

 Replying to questions on what Papandreou said about "invasion" and "occupation" in Cyprus and to the violations of Greek airspace, Davutoglu said that all that the Greek prime minister said in Erzurum "is Greece's known view" and that "our positions on these issues are known, and our prime minister raised them with clarity." 

 

 The Turkish foreign minister further said that "nobody can impose a position on the other side, and on Turkey in particular. Our positions are mutually known." 

 

 Davutoglou pointed out, however, that "in general Mr. Papandreou's messages constituted messages of friendship and cooperation."

(ANA-MPA), A. Kourkoulas