Turkey's European prospects, the long-standing Cyprus issue, bilateral relations as well as scheduling of an official visit by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to Ankara dominated a meeting here on Sunday between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers.

Petros Molyviatis and Abdullah Gul met at Turkey's permanent delegation to the United Nations, as both foreign ministers were in New York for the United Nations' 60th General Assembly. A similar meeting was held last year on the General Assembly sidelines at Greece's permanent delegation.

"Our talks today were held in a very positive and friendly atmosphere. We reviewed the course of bilateral relations and re-asserted our will towards continuing efforts for a further improvement in the relations of our two countries," Greece's Molyviatis said.

He added that both sides examined possible future dates for the Greek premier's visit to Ankara.

Referring to Euro-Turkey relations and Ankara's much-anticipated beginning of accession talks, scheduled for Oct. 3, Molyviatis simply noted that Athens' positions over the subject were well-known and unchanged.

Finally, he said both sides also discussed the prospect of re-kindled initiative by the UN General Secretary for a process leading to a solution to the Cyprus problem -- probably the biggest difference in Greek-Turkish relations and a major obstacle to Ankara's anticipated course towards the EU.

Source: Athens News Agency

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