The 5 new confidence building measures were announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan at a joint news conference with his Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyanni in Athens.
Mr Babacan is in Athens on a two day visit during which the Cyprus issue will be one of the main topics to be discussed.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Babacan said that five new confidence building measures between Turkey and Greece are the proof of the joint will to further improve relations between the two countries.
He said that the prime objective of his visit to Greece was to strengthen existing friendly relations, cooperation and dialogue
between the two countries as well as to build new bridges together.
Touching upon the Cyprus Problem, Babacan said that the Cyprus Issue was a problem which concerned both countries and reiterated Turkey’s commitment to work towards finding a political settlement within the framework of UN parameters.
For her part, the Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni said that both Turkey and Greece were determined to continue on their path to improving bilateral relations.
Stressing that a permanent and just solution to the Cyprus problem should be based on the principles of bi-zonality and bi-communality, Bakoyianni said that Turkey's EU membership process should be assessed within that scope.
According to the new confidence measures land, naval and air Force Commanders of Turkey and Greece will hold regular mutual visits.
The confidence building measures also include setting up united-joint operation units and a joint natural disasters rescue/humanitarian aid mission force will be established.
The 5 measures, also envisage the creation of a joint military unit which may undertake missions in problematic regions of the world such as Afghanistan.
As part of his contacts today, , the Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan also met with Greek President Carolos Papulias.
During his stay in Athens Mr. Babacan will come together with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Speaker of the Greek Parliament Dimitris Siufas as well as the leader of the main opposition PASOK- Yorgos Papandreu.
