Greece’s newly elected Prime Minister pays first foreign visit to Turkey

October 12, 2009 George Papandreou, the new Greek Prime Minister, paid his first foreign visit to neighbouring Turkey on Friday. Papandreou arrived in Istanbul to attend an informal Balkan countries' ministerial meeting.

He first visited the, where he said both countries must work together to unify Cyprus. Bartholomew said Papandreou's arrival in Turkey for his first foreign visit is very important for, which are tense due to Cyprus and Aegean Sea disputes.

Later, he met with the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and. The two prime ministers appreciated the ongoing reunification talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He also visited his then-counterpart and friend 's tomb at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.