Ankara, Athens set for diplomatic talks this month

In the wake of improving relations since last October's Greek elections, Turkish and Greek diplomats will hold diplomatic talks in Ankara this month in the runup to high-level visits. "Diplomats from the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministries will discuss everything, including upcoming high-level visits as well as the correspondence between the prime ministers," a Greek Embassy spokesman said yesterday. After the talks, diplomatic traffic is expected to accelerate, according to diplomatic sources. Greece 's acting foreign minister, Dimitri Droutsas, will visit Ankara this month and then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Athens , probably in May. Turkey and Greece began diplomatic talks in May 2002 over the Aegean Sea disputes that have soured relations between the NATO allies for decades. The talks are held on a rotating basis between the two capitals, Ankara and Athens . The last conference took place two months ago in Athens. In response to a letter sent by Erdogan after his Socialist Party PASOK came to power, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said he strongly agrees with Erdogan that bilateral talks should be revived and accelerated. Turkey is planning to establish a high-level strategic cooperation council with Greece similar to agreements with Iraq and Syria as part of the government's policy of zero problems and maximum cooperation with its neighbors. Diplomats said Athens reacted positively to the Turkish proposal.