Turkey, Greece to Develop Economic Ties Despite Differences

Renewed Tensions Over Gas Fields Off Cyprus

The Wall Street Journal

By STELIOS BOURAS

Dec. 6, 2014 8:22 a.m. ET

ATHENS—Greece and Turkey confirmed Saturday their commitment to developing economic ties between the two countries but admitted to disputes over energy and Cyprus separating the two sides.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday wound up a two-day trip to the Greek capital Athens where he attended a forum on confidence-building measures between the two countries that have nearly gone to war three times in the last four decades.

“Of course, there are differences between neighbors. It would be impossible for the opposite to exist,” said the Turkish leader. “We believe that the approach adopted by the two sides could contribute to growth in the eastern Mediterranean region.”

His visit to Athens comes amid renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey over energy deposits in the eastern Mediterranean off Cyprus. Cyprus is looking to exploit natural gas fields south of the island, but Ankara insists that it wants to jointly use the hydrocarbons.

In October, Turkey sent two navy ships and a research vessel to collect seismic data in the disputed waters, prompting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to suspend peace talks with the Turkish-controlled North of the island.

Turkey condemned the decision to freeze the talks and criticized the Cypriot government’s attempt to “unilaterally” exploit the island’s natural resources without conferring with the Turkish-Cypriot minority.

On Saturday, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said he understood the decision made by Mr. Anastasiades, adding that obstacles to relaunching talks may soon be lifted.

“We consider this very important,” said the Greek prime minister.

Significantly, Turkey’s decision to send the ships into disputed waters has already drawn criticism from the European Union, which includes Cyprus, as well as the U.S.--even as the West tries to forge a common front with Ankara to address the crisis in Syria and the rise of Islamic State extremists.

Nine cabinet members and a large business delegation accompanied the Turkish premier to Athens where discussions included tourism and transportation issues.

Turkey has become Greece’s largest trading partner and is growing in significance for the crisis hit country as Europe’s economy slows. Bilateral trade has grown sharply, rising from €1.06 billion ($1.31 billion) in 2010 to €4.3 billion in 2013.

The talks were held amid strict security measures, with many parts of central Athens being locked down. From Friday until Saturday afternoon demonstrations have been banned and about 7,000 police officers have been deployed across the Greek capital.

Write to Stelios Bouras at stelios.bouras@wsj.com