Foreign Ministry spokesman Gregory Delavekouras made the following statement regarding a statement made yesterday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson on positions taken by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, during the recent state visit of the President of Armenia to Greece:
“History cannot be rewritten or written off. History teaches that we can build a future of peace if we respect history and work conscientiously towards the goal of peace. Greece and Turkey have made significant strides in the effort to improve their bilateral relations. But the largest and most difficult strides lay ahead.
The President of the Hellenic Republic’s career is evidence of his catalytic contribution to the effort towards Greek-Turkish understanding. With his words and deeds, he reaffirms every day that the peoples of the region can hope for and achieve a future of peace and cooperation.”
January 22, 2011