UN General Assembly
1959

72. Relations between Greece and Turkey are steadily improving. The policy of close co-operation and friendship established by Venizelos and Ataturk, those great pioneers, has been revived. The visit of Premier Karamanlis to Ankara a few months ago and the coming visit to Athens of Premier Menderes will contribute to strengthen the ties between the two neighbouring countries. 73. May I be permitted to say that, as it has already been pointed out from this rostrum by the distinguished Foreign Minister of Turkey [8G9thmeeting], this development is not profitable only to Greece and Turkey. It constitutes a factor of stability and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean area as well as in that of the Balkans. A centre of anxiety and a situation pregnant with potential dangers had been replaced by a climate of co-operation and understanding. This is an instance of an important contribution toward the improvement of the international situation and one which we are sure will be appreciated by those who are sincerely interested in the maintenance and consolidation of peace.