BAGIS STATED THAT HE MADE A FRUITFUL AND POSITIVE VISIT TO ATHENS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis was received by the Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreu in Athens where he went to deliver a lecture in the International Centre for Black Sea Studies and make political contacts. Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Drucas and Turkish Ambassador in Athens, Hasan Gogus also attended the meeting. Bagis indicated that he had a positive and fruitful meeting with Papandreu.

Bagis said: "I told Mr. Papandreu that our Prime Minister had sent his kindest regards to him and I will tell our Prime Minister that Mr. Papandreu sent him his kindest regards also. In the meeting we assessed the importance of timing of the meeting of two constructive Prime Ministers. We had a fruitful discussion on the issues, which came to the fore with the letter sent to Mr. Papandreu by our Prime Minister, the Cyprus issue, fight against illegal immigration, minority issues and Turkey's EU membership process in the meeting. Mr. Papandreu shared with me that he would send a letter in reply to Mr. Erdogan as soon as possible."

Coming together with Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Drucas at a working dinner, Bagis said that they had the opportunity to discuss with more details the same issues which he and Prime Minister Papandreu had discussed.

Speaking about his meeting with the former Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis who is now the candidate for the leadership of main opposition New Democracy, Bagis said that meeting was very positive too.

Indicating that he hoped that this visit and the visit to be paid by the Foreign Minister in December would be important steps to determine the framework of the visit of Mr. President which will be made afterwards, Bagis said the date of the Prime Minister's visit had not been determined yet.

Within the framework of his dual contacts in Athens, Bagis also met with PASOK's International Relations Secretary Paulina Lampsa, Papandreu's foreign policy consultant Ambassador Aleks Rondos and Elenie Fotiu, a researcher in the International Centre for Black Sea Studies.

Source: AA