Turkey, Greece agree measures for closer ties

Turkey and Greece agreed Thursday a series of measures to intensify bilateral contacts and bring their militaries closer, vowing commitment to overcome their long-standing rivalry.

The measures, announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Greece's visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, were agreed ahead of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Athens, expected in mid-May.

"We want to base our ties on a brand new concept" of cooperation, Davutoglu told a joint news conference, adding that he and Droutsas discussed the need for a mutual cut of defense expenditures.

For more: Middle East Online