Greece supports Turkey's "European vocation" and is helping its neighbour to approach EU standards "by sharing our experience with her in many areas", according to the President of Greece, Mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos, who begins a four-day state visit to Ireland today.
Mr Stephanopoulos (74) is the first Greek head of state to pay a state visit to Ireland. During his visit he is expected to meet the President, Mrs McAleese, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The Greek president, who is being accompanied by about 30 business leaders, will address an Irish-Greek economic seminar and plans to visit Trinity College Dublin, Newgrange, and Slane Castle, Co Meath.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Stephanopoulos said: "Greece's relations with Ireland are excellent, both bilaterally as well as in the context of the European Union. On the political level, relations between the two countries are developing in a most satisfactory way and my present visit is a clear demonstration of the existing cordial climate."
In the area of cultural co-operation he suggested "the two governments should do their best to promote cultural exchanges, organise cultural events, and boost . . . activities which could enhance each country's cultural presence in the other". He added that there is "considerable room" for the expansion of bilateral economic relations, "with possibilities for substantial development".
Mr Stephanopoulos was keen to underline Greece's "geographic privilege" as the only EU state in south-east Europe, with the opportunity of "acting as a bridge towards Black Sea and Middle East markets". He sees Greece being in a position "to provide unique assistance towards the creation of joint ventures in the Balkans, in particular within the framework of the economic reconstruction of the area".
Turning to Greece's relations with its eastern neighbour and traditional rival, Mr Stephanopoulos said: "Greece sincerely wishes to establish peaceful and good neighbourly relations with Turkey, similar to those she enjoys with her other neighbours, based on international law and relevant treaties."
He sees the present Greek-Turkish talks, particularly those on trade, cultural and environmental issues, as "a positive development" in the past year, and says "the number of related agreements which have been signed are indicative of the existing potential in our bilateral relations".
However, adding a note of caution, Mr Stephanopoulos said: "We have seen no signs from Ankara indicating changes to her positions regarding her claims against Greece. But we will continue our efforts towards the establishment of peace and stability in the area."
The president pointed out that Athens supports "Turkey's European vocation" and wishes to see Ankara adhere "to European standards, committed to the fundamental values of the European Union and willing to contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability in the region". This had prompted Greece to support Turkey's candidacy at the Helsinki summit last year, and he explained this was why Athens was now sharing its experiences of EU membership with Ankara in many areas.
Mr Stephanopoulos was elected president in 1995 and re-elected for a second five-year term last February, with the support of the two major political parties - the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) of the Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, and the opposition New Democracy. He is the only president to have been elected for a second consecutive term.
Mr Stephanopoulos was born in 1926 in Patras in the western Peloponnese. He was first elected to parliament in 1964, but returned to practising law when the colonels came to power in 1967. With the collapse of the junta, he re-entered politics and from 1974 to 1981 held four cabinet posts in New Democracy governments. After defeat in a leadership contest, he formed a new political party, Democratic Renewal. With the retirement of President Karamanlis, in March 1995, Mr Stephanopoulos was seen as a politician untainted by scandal and corruption, and was elected president with the support of both Pasok, then under the leadership of Mr Andreas Papandreou, and another New Democracy splinter, Political Spring.