Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was yesterday preparing for a landmark visit to Ankara - the first by a Greek premier in almost 50 years - as diplomats discussed what his reaction should be in the event of a Turkish «provocation.»

Karamanlis appeared upbeat despite recent tensions in the Aegean.

Greece intends to «extend a hand of friendship to Turkey,» he told Turkey's Anatolia news agency, adding that he hoped Turkey would do the same. He said that Athens expected Ankara to fulfill its obligations as a European Union candidate state and recognize Cyprus as a member. According to sources, Karamanlis intends to broach thorny issues - such as the Cyprus problem - to avoid any surprises from the Turkish side.

Karamanlis is to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan today and President Abdullah Gul tomorrow.

Meanwhile, diplomats have been debating how Karamanlis should react in the event of a violation of Greek air space or territorial waters. Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios, with whom Karamanlis will also meet tomorrow, said he hoped the talks would lead to the reopening of the Halki Orthodox Seminary off Istanbul and «help to solve other problems that have accumulated over the years.»

On the occasion of the historic trip, Kathimerini English Edition is publishing articles from the Turkish Daily News, Turkey's English-language daily, examining the background to the visit.