Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan address a joint news conference in Athens, Greece, on Dec. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Greece and Türkiye pledged to strengthen cooperation during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Athens on Thursday.
The Turkish leader, who made his first visit to the Greek capital since 2017, headed a delegation of ministers to discuss with the Greek government bilateral cooperation in various sectors during the one-day 5th Greece- Türkiye High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).
The visit ended with the signing of the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness, that reflects the mutual will to improve bilateral ties, the two sides announced during a press conference.
"There are always problems between brothers ... There is no problem between us that cannot be resolved in good faith," Erdogan said, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.
"Greece and Türkiye, Türkiye and Greece must live in peace. (They can) articulate their differences that are known, discuss them honestly and constantly look for solutions," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.
Earlier, Erdogan had held a separate meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who also stated that it was more essential than ever for the two countries to work together to the benefit of the wider region as well, according to an e-mailed press release from her office.
During Athens talks, the two sides agreed to promote closer collaboration in trade and tourism.
Following a period of tensions in the past three years, Greece and Türkiye have lately expressed their commitment to continue dialogue and reach a common understanding. ■