Greek PM invites Turkish counterpart to Athens

ATHENS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou sent a letter to his Turkish counterpart Tajip Tayip Erdogan Monday, in a response to an invitation to a wide-range bilateral dialogue he received a few days after his election to office in autumn.

In the letter that was formally handed over to Ankara by the Greek ambassador in Turkey, Papandreou stressed the need for de- escalation of tension in the Aegean sea and closer cooperation between the two neighboring countries on illegal migration.

The Greek prime minister also invites Erdogan to pay an official visit to Greece by this summer. Papandreou's first visit abroad after his party won the election last October was to Turkey.

Regarding the status of Aegean, Papandreou denounced flights of Turkish Air Force planes over Greek islands and research activities on the continental shelf in disputed zones. He underlined the need of respect of territorial integrity, international law and treaties, both bilateral and multilateral, emphasizing that this issue is fundamental to ensure good bilateral relations in the future.

Concerning illegal immigration Papandreou stressed that cooperation in bilateral and international level in the European context, is the only way to effectively address this challenge. He underlined the importance of fully implementing the existing Greek- Turkish Readmission Protocol, in addition to restarting dialogue for a similar agreement between Turkey and the EU.

The Greek prime minister also noted in the letter that the two countries can advance cooperation in economic and trade issues, culture, tourism and the environmental protection, the fight against organized crime, as well as the visa regime for Turkish citizens through the creation of a bilateral High Level Co- operation Council which could be launched by the foreign ministers of the two sides.

Responding to complaints by the Turkish prime minister on the Muslim minority in Thrace, Papandreou stressed that respect for human rights of all Greek citizens, irrespective of religion, cultural roots and ethnic origin, is the sole responsibility the Greek State and his personal commitment to every Greek citizen.

On the Cyprus issue, the Greek leader reiterated Athens position for a federal solution within the framework of United Nations resolutions.