Turkish, Greek FMs open renovated consulate in Izmir

IZMIR, Turkey

Turkish and Greek foreign ministers on Tuesday participated in the opening ceremony of the recently renovated Greek Consulate General’s building in Turkey’s Aegean province of Izmir.

Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey sees dialogue and cooperation as building blocks in its relations with Greece.

He said Turkey has been hosting Greek consulate in Izmir since 1877.

Cavusoglu said the start of ferry services between Izmir and Greece's Thessaloniki is facing a delay.

"This has to start as soon as possible. Let's work together on this issue. Likewise, we have a railroad project between Istanbul and Thessaloniki, we will also realize this," he added.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, for his part, said that he hopes the visa requirement for the Turkish citizens to enter Greece will be lifted soon, which would also ease the workload of the consulate.

Kotzias added that they will also renovate the Greek embassy building in the capital Ankara.

Reporting by Halil Sahin:Writing by Fatih Hafiz Mehmet