Greece, Turkey talks end
Foreign Ministry political director Anastasios Skopelitis and Turkish Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Yigit Alpogan yesterday ended a week of meetings in Athens, part of their regular biannual contacts aimed at improving relations, particularly in the sectors of tourism, the environment, trade and economic relations. Greek and Turkish officials also exchanged views on continuing talks on confidence-building measures between the Greek and Turkish permanent representatives to NATO. They are to meet again in Ankara in March. Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis said there had been some progress in talks on confidenc-building measures within the NATO framework, but declined to say whether Ankara and Athens had taken any joint decisions. When there is anything new, or a measure is made specific, we will announce it. The climate has been very positive and there are positive ideas on both sides, he said. On the decision by NATO countries to activate Article 5 of the alliance’s charter, which members decided at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, Reppas said, This decision, which was taken unanimously, will be implemented after negotiations that will be held by the military council, with the participation of all the NATO members.
