Former Greek Prime Minister Papandreou: 'Turkish-Greek friendship can bring stability to the region'

Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou stated that the friendship between Turkey and Greece could and should be a factor of stability for the surrounding region.

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Former Greek Prime Minister Papandreou: 'Turkish-Greek friendship can bring stability to the region'

In an article he penned for the newspaper Kathimerini, Papandreou evaluated Turkish-Greek relations.

Pointing out that cooperation and dialogue between the two countries have gained new political dimensions, Papandreou stated, "The Turkish-Greek (friendship) relationship can and should become a factor of stability for the surrounding region."

Recalling the steps toward friendship he took with former Foreign Minister İsmail Cem during his own tenure as Foreign Minister, Papandreou noted that he and Cem had visited then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Noting that dozens of bilateral agreements have been signed in the fields of migration, energy, transportation, economy, and culture since that day, Papandreou wrote, "In May 2010, I hosted my then-counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Athens for the first High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting held between Turkey and Greece. We worked for a new relationship of cooperation."

Papandreou continued as follows:

"Seven years after the last HLCC, Athens will host (President) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan once again on December 7 for an HLCC meeting.

Just as it was back then, there is hope today for establishing a relationship between the two countries that will ultimately allow for lasting peace."

Stating that such visits cannot be expected to produce immediate solutions, Papandreou noted that, "based on his experience, dialogue has many positive results."

Papandreou assessed that, "Dialogue helps in identifying real problems and avoiding unrealistic assessments influenced by social outbursts; it ensures the identification of common national and geopolitical interests as well as the understanding of real fears."

Expressing that mutual respect is essential, Papandreou included the words, "In foreign policy, it is easy to destroy, but difficult to build," in his article.

News Source: AA