Regional foes Greece and Turkey signed dozens of agreements which seek to promote economic, tourism and business cooperation in Athens today and agreed to hold joint cabinet meetings twice a year, dpa reported. "I am optmistic that the steps taken today can bring results, namely because the will exists," Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said during a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's visit to Greece, the first by a Turkish prime minister since 2004, involved a 400-strong delegation which included 10 ministers and roughly 150 businessmen. Erdogan and Papandreou also presided over a joint cabinet meeting, a first between the two countries and launched a series of annual meetings in the framework of a high-level cooperation council that will alternate between the two countries. The two sides signed 21 bilateral agreements on issues ranging from transport, education, energy, environment to curbing illegal migrants coming through Turkey which is a major problem for Greece. "The large number of agreements is proof of the historic nature of this visit," said Papandreou. Athens and Ankara also agreed to work together to promote both countries as a joint destination for Chinese tourists and agreed to advance a gas pipeline project that links Turkey, Greece and Italy. Erdogan said he wanted to see both countries advance in the area of bilateral trade and reach targets of 5 billion euros, roughly double of what exists today. The two countries, which have come close to war three times - have seen a gradual thaw in relations since twin earthquakes in 1999, resulting in a mutual outpouring of support.
