Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Kotzias paid an official visit to Turkey on 11-12 May 2015 upon the invitation extended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Within the framework of the first Foreign Ministerial visit to our country since the formation of the new government in Greece, Foreign Minister Kotzias was also received by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In the tete-a-tete meeting and the meeting between delegations, all aspects of Turkish-Greek relations were evaluated, and views were exchanged on regional and international issues, particularly on Cyprus.

In the joint press conference held after the meeting, pointing that we have adopted the concept of positive agenda with a view to developing bilateral relations with Greece, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu indicated that through confidence-building measures and other dialogue mechanisms, we are furthering our efforts in order to find solutions to the problems between the two countries and emphasized our determination on this matter.

Stating that 2015 is a very important year for the Cyprus issue, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that we are very happy that the negotiations will restart on May 15th, that we wish for the continuation of the negotiations and reaching of a lasting solution on the basis of the joint declaration issued on February 11th, 2014.

Foreign Minister of Greece Mr. Kotzias said that Greece and Turkey are two countries which are elements of stability in the region, that they wish for the solution of the issues in the Aegean and that Greece supports Turkey’s EU membership.

Following the press conference, delegations proceeded to lunch accompanied by Turkish and Greek melodies.