The visit by the Greek foreign minister to Ankara is taking place at a time when the process of harmonization with the European Union has gathered speed in the two countries. With this difference, of course: Greece, as a member of the EU has made greater headway here, whereas Turkey is readying for a little determined, a little reluctant and a little serious start in the face of the great transformation it has to undergo, and which will effect all aspects of social life.

There can be no doubt that if the two countries can put aside their topics of contention, and their conflicts arising out of historical national myths, then their presence within the EU will increase their weight in European affairs, as well as make a serious contribution to regional stability.

When we turn to the problems between the two countries, there is no problem whatsoever for Greece in a continuation of the status quo. This is why Greece says that the only problem in the Aegean concerns determining the continental shelf, and knows that as long as it retains the option of extending its territorial waters to Izmir, that the continental shelf problem will not be resolved to its disadvantage. Turkey on the other hand feels that the possibility of the actual situation in the Aegean being made official will pose a threat to it.

The Greek defense minister has been saying in recent days that they do not consider Turkey to be a military threat anymore, and that they will be going for a reduction in terms of their armed forces and their prevailing order in defense. In fact it is known that as long as there is not attempt to turn the actual status in the Aegean to an official status, then there is no military threat posed to Greece by Turkey. Because Turkey's military preparations in the Aegean are all aimed at creating a deterrent against the possibility that an attempt might be made to institute this official status.

It appears today that Athens feels Turkey's detterence has lost its effect because of Greece's participation in the European Security and Defense System, and is waiting for the EU to finalize the preparations for this umbrella system before it converts the actual situation in the Aegean to an official status. 

(The commitment that Turkey got when it was joining the WEU that the stipulation in the Brussels Agreement - which established the WEU -- that said that this organization could not be used in Turkish-Greek disputes is lifted under this new system). 

This is why Papandreu, who can now use the comfort provided by the EU card in his hand, can call for a reduction in armaments.

When it comes to Cyprus, on the other hand, Turkey has no complaints about a continuation of the status quo on the island. The sides that want a change in the satus quo are the Greek Cypriots and Greece. If Greece, which now wants to see Cyprus disarmed all together, has changed its position concerning the satus quo on the Island, then the nature and conditions for this request of Athens' can be discussed. Because the raison d'etre of the Turkish Armed Force's existence in Cyprus is to protect the existing status quo on the island until such time as a solution that is acceptable to the Turkish side, based on the the equal sovereignty of the two communities, is found.

There is no interest either in Greece and Turkey's carrying their problems to the relations they have with regional countries, and thus getting involved in a race for influence. Therefore it will be useful, as they try to solve their bilateral problems, to lead the way in cooperation projects that will strengthen peace and security in the region, and to develop at the same time their relations in areas that are not subject to any dispute.

I hope that Mr. Papandreu's visit to Ankara will be an encouraging development in this respect.