Turkish ambassador pays a friendly visit to Kathimerini for working lunch
A visit to Kathimerini’s offices Wednesday by Turkish Ambassador in Athens Yigit Alpogan proved to be extremely interesting, as well as pleasant. Accompanied by the embassy’s press counselor, Nisa Bayramoglu, the ambassador exchanged views in a particularly friendly climate with his host, Chairman of the Board of Kathimerini SA Aristides Alafouzos, board members Martha Dertili and Giorgos Constantinidis, Editorial Director Christos Panagopoulos and editorial staff members. Alpogan, who knew Greece well in the past, found it much changed on his return here a year ago, and said that rapprochement had done much to improve relations between the two peoples. Alafouzos observed that the two peoples never had any differences other than the tensions created from time to time on the political level. The ambassador also expressed satisfaction that many Greek businesses had recently made considerable investments in Turkey. The discussion at the working lunch focused on the major political changes wrought by the recent elections in Turkey, prospects for the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish dialogue. Clear in his views, courageous in his predictions, Alpogan, who did not hedge even the most difficult questions, was a far cry from the stereotypical diplomat who restricts himself to public relations, avoiding any involvement in issues of political substance. One could say that he incarnates the Turkish tradition that would have diplomacy, above and beyond any party changes, playing a substantial role in forming policy and boosting his country’s international image.
