Joint Communiqué between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Republic οf Turkey (2010)
Upon invitation of H.E. the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr George A. Papandreou, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, paid a working visit to Greece, on May 14-15, 2010.
The two Prime Ministers co-chaired, on May 14th, in Athens, the inaugural session of the High Level Cooperation Council, with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs as coordinators and of Ministers responsible for internal affairs/ protection of the citizen, education, economy/trade, energy, environment, culture, tourism, EU affairs, transport and communication.
On the same day, the following documents were adopted and signed by the respective Ministers and by the representatives of the relevant Institutions:
· Joint Political Declaration on the Establishment of the High Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Turkey
· Protocol on Regular Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.
· Joint Declaration on Lifting Restrictions at Kastanies- Pazarkule Border Crossing
· Agreement between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning the Gainful Employment of Dependents of Members of Diplomatic and Consular Missions.
· Joint Declaration on promoting economic and business co-operation of the Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey
· Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Co-operation between the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT) and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE)
· Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Collaboration on Investment Issues between “Invest in Greece S.A.” and “Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey” (ISPAT)
· Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Forestry between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Republic of Turkey
· Joint Declaration of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister for Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey.
· Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey and on cooperation in the Field of Energy
· Joint Declaration of the Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of National Education of the Republic of Turkey.
· Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of State of the Republic of Turkey responsible for Science and Technology on Cooperation between the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).
· Memorandum of Intent between the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Turkey on the Development of Rail and Intermodal Traffic between Greece and Turkey.
· Joint Declaration of the Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Turkey on developing cooperation in the field of road transport.
· Joint Declaration of the Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Turkey in the fields of information and communication technologies and postal services.
· Joint Declaration on issues regarding illegal immigration, asylum, organized crime, drug trafficking and civil protection.
· Joint Declaration on visa exemption for special passports.
· Joint Declaration of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey on Cooperation in the Field of Culture.
· Joint Declaration of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.
· Protocol between Athens News Agency-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) and Anatolian Agency (AA).
· Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation between the Hellenic Bank Association and the Banks Association of Turkey.
Both sides are convinced that the decision to develop a structured framework for their relations, based on mutual respect, trust, international law and good neighbourly relations constitutes a big step forward that will further promote their relations and lead to enhanced regional peace, prosperity and stability.
This important event will no doubt pave the way for new avenues of cooperation which will be beneficial to their respective countries.
Therefore, both Prime Ministers have voiced their appreciation for the efforts deployed in the achievement of the establishment of the High Level Cooperation Council.
The Prime Ministers stressed their conviction that the new course of the relations will steer Greece and Turkey to a brighter future for the benefit of the two peoples.
The two Prime Ministers also had a friendly and comprehensive exchange of views on bilateral issues, European Affairs, as well as on regional and international developments.
The two Prime Ministers decided to relaunch the Greek-Turkish Task Force in order to contribute to carry further the accession process of Turkey, focusing on issues concerning the accession negotiations.
Furthermore, the two sides have agreed, within the context of the Task force, to share their experiences and views as regards economic and financial issues, at national and global level.
In the course of the visit, H.E. the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was received by H. E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Karolos Papoulias, called on H.E. the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr Philippos Petsalnikos and received the Leader of the Main Opposition Party, Mr Antonis Samaras.
George A. Papandreou Recep Tayyip Erdogan