  Main issues between Greece and Turkey unresolved despite "big step forward" in relations May 16, 2010 - 16:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net -
The Greek and Turkish governments hailed a "big step forward" in their relations on Friday, the first day in Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's stay in Athens, which he said marked "a historic moment". The two governments agreed to set up a council to hold regular meetings between the two countries' leaders and their cabinet ministers, and inked pacts on the economy, immigration, energy and other issues. "I am confident that the novel and courageous step we are attempting today can pay off because the will is there," Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said at a joint news conference with Erdogan on Friday. The two countries also signed a number of deals, including an accord allowing illegal migrants coming from Turkey to Greece to be sent back, an issue that has been a major source of discord between the arch-rivals. Still, calls to reduce arms in both countries were left unanswered on Friday during Erdogan’s first official visit to the Greek capital since 2004, AFP reported. Related links:   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Related sections Latest news International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine  Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets.Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty.Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran.Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |
