With the phrase “Geography and History have meant to live in the same neighborhood. There is no other alternative to looking at the future with the aim of cooperation, progress and prosperity, “Greece’s Ambassador to Ankara, Theodoros Bizakis, summarized his reference to Greece – relations – Turkeyduring his speech at the reception he gave at an Ankara hotel on the occasion of March 25th.
At the Reception for March 25th, the Turkish government was represented by Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozai, while a number of representatives of diplomatic missions in Ankara and many guests participated.
“Once again this year, we are celebrating the day of our independence in Ankara at a very special time, as the leaders of our two countries decided to continue exploring ways to live as neighbors, with no tensions,” the Greek diplomatic leader observed in the Greek diplomatic mission.
Ambassador Bizakis said that “the two countries have decided to follow a new course, look for new creative ways in their relationships” and that “this new course began after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, with a genuine and spontaneous sense of solidarity”.
As he said, “this spontaneous reaction paved the way for the intensification of our bilateral contacts. A specific road map has been designed and a number of visits at all levels has been made since. “
The Greek ambassador then referred to the areas of cooperation developed between the two spaces:
– “An important aspect of our enhanced cooperation is immigration. Our bilateral cooperation has intensified, in particular among the police and port authorities of the two countries, with the aim of preventing irregular flows and, above all, to combat traffickers’ networks. “
– “The bilateral commercial and economic cooperation between our countries is on the right track, based on the joint statement of the two leaders in Athens to achieve a volume of bilateral trade of $ 10 billion.”
– “One of the tangible results was the Visa At the Gate program, which was implemented in the last 12 months after consultations and approval by the European Commission. The successful result of this program and the large number of tourist exchanges between the two countries have confirmed that the links between people are really counting and can be the best bridge of communication and friendship between us, “Mr Bizakis said, announcing that” the program is being extended for another year and more than two. “
Greece, he said, remains committed to Turkey’s EU integration prospects. But he must, as he said, “move together in the context of the European acquis and the well -known values on which this acquis has been founded.”
“We look forward to fulfilling our current efforts and implementing the ideals and goals I mentioned earlier. To live peacefully in good neighborly relations, “Ambassador Theodoros Bizakis concluded in his reference to Greek -Turkish relations.
Previously, Ambassador Bizakis said that within a few years after its establishment, Greece has managed to become a modern state with strong institutions and with fairly active international profiles in major international organizations. “What we have achieved so far and for which we want to continue to fight is better reflected in our current term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026 and the message we send from this valuable seat: Dialogue-Diplomacy-Democracy. I told you last year that these are Greek words that have probably been adopted in their original Greek form and in your own languages. I will proudly repeat it again. “
Ambassador Theodoros Bizakis in Ankara said that “in recent years Greece has experienced a deep economic recovery. Numerous structural reforms were applied, focusing on fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability. Today, according to official IMF data, Greece is one of the fastest growing economies of the European Union, increasing its immediate foreign investment, presenting positive developments in the labor market and expanding its trade partnerships. Sectors that have long been pillars of our economy, such as shipping, shipping services, tourism and agriculture, are now supplemented by high -tech industries, green energy networks, advanced processing, construction and modernization of infrastructure. “
As he said, “one of Greece’s greatest achievements in recent years is to transform it into an attractive and reliable investment destination. To this end, Greece has introduced a series of incentives for foreign companies wishing to expand their business activities in Greece, as well as measures to reduce bureaucracy. “
The statements of the Turkish Minister of Tourism
For his part, Turkish Minister of Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoi, conveyed the greetings of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and pointed out the importance of financial relations within the positive agenda by citing the work done in this direction. He emphasized that The proclamation signed in Athens in 2023 reflects the willingness to maintain the positive atmosphere in bilateral relations.
Expressing his satisfaction with the “positive dynamics” between Turkey and Greece, Mr Ersoy said: “The visit made by our President to Athens in December 2023 as well as the visit of the Greek Prime Minister (Kyriakos) Mitsotakis 20. The mechanisms of bilateral dialogue between our Foreign Ministries have gained dynamics. “
He also stressed that cultural ties should be strengthened with the help of tourism, so that the people of the two countries could get to know each other better and stated that his contacts with his Greek counterparts continue in this direction.
He also recalled that positive relations between the two countries also helped develop cooperation in the international arena, recalling that Turkey supported Greece’s candidacy at the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026.