Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece paid a working visit to Ankara on 15 February 2013, to reciprocate the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, to Athens in October 2012.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu and Greek Foreign Minister Avramopulos, accompanied by their delegations, discussed the preparations of the High Level Cooperation Council between Turkey and Greece which will be held in Turkey on 5 March 2013. Ministers also exchanged views regarding the future of the Europe and Turkey-EU relations as well as the developments in the Balkans, Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Speaking at the joint press conference Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that as part of the preparations of the High Level Cooperation Council meeting, various agreements had been concluded and some other agreements were still under negotiation. Drawing attention to the increase in the bilateral trade volume, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu underlined that it was aimed to increase the bilateral trade volume up to 10 billion Dollars with the agreements signed at the High Level Cooperation Council Meetings and the agreements to be signed in the future.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu mentioned that the ongoing efforts would strengthen the awareness of common destiny among the people of the two countries. He added that the two countries would share a common vision concerning the future of Turkish-Greek relations.

Pointing that meeting at the Ankara Palace was of special importance Foreign Minister Davutoğlu reminded that First President of Turkey, Atatürk and Prime Minister of Greece, Venizelos in 1930 met at the Ankara Palace as well.