“Our similarities are often greater than our differences. And our proximity brings not only challenges, but also great opportunities for cooperation,” said Turkey’s Ambassador to Athens Cagatay Erciyes , at tonight’s event marking the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, he said that Turkey and Greece are more than neighbours, they are two nations that are linked geographically, historically, culturally, and humanly. He noted that in the last three years, dialogue channels have been revitalized, high-level contacts have increased, and several meetings have been held. He spoke of “real progress in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and culture” and said that last year, more than 1.2 million Turkish citizens visited Greece, while more than 700,000 Greeks travelled to Turkey, and this “positive trend continues this year.”

He added: “I am confident that maintaining this momentum will bring even greater mutual benefits and foster a constructive climate for addressing our long-term problems.

In this spirit, we look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Turkey for the next meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council.”

Finally, he referred to recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said that Greece and Turkey can make peace in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean possible and that all outstanding issues between the two countries can be resolved through sincere and meaningful dialogue based on international law and good neighborliness.

“As close neighbours and NATO allies, our real interest lies in cooperation, not confrontation,” Erciyes said.

It should be noted that after several years of service at the Turkish embassy in Athens, the head of the press office, Doigou Leloglu, is leaving for Ankara.

Present at the Turkish Embassy’s event were, among others, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, former Foreign Minister and ND MP Dora Bakoyannis, as well as foreign and Greek diplomats and military officers.