Ahead of visit, Rasmussen decries toll of Turkish-Greek problems

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's new secretary general, yesterday said that problems in Turkish-Greek relations are affecting the alliance’s efforts in Afghanistan and Africa. "It is my intention to raise the question of better cooperation between Turkey and Greece during my visit to both capitals this week," he told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels. "I know it is a bilateral issue between the two countries, but we have come to the point where it is causing us problems in our missions.” During his visit to Ankara this week, Rasmussen will be received by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Rasmussen will also meet with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug. He is scheduled to participate in a fast-breaking dinner with Erdogan.