Tayyip Erdogan's two-day visit to Athens, on Friday and Saturday, is seen by the Greek government as a chance to have the ties between Greece and Turkey improved. Shorty before his arrival to Athens, the Turkish Prime Minister was interviewed by journalist Maria Houkli who travelled to Istanbul to interview him.

Tayyip Erdogan is to embark on a two-day official visit to Athens on Friday and Saturday accepting George Papandreou's invitation. He will be accompanied by 10 ministers and about 100 businessmen.

Speaking on NET, he placed emphasis on his visit, as he thinks it is a chance for the two countries to improve their ties.

He also touched on the midair tension in the Aegean, claiming that the uncontrollable armaments harm both sides. Erdogan noted that Athens and Ankara have to find a way to bridge their differences.

Among the topics to run high on the agenda are the reinforcement of economical ties, the Turkish violations in the Aegean, the issue of mutual armament cuts, the Cyprus row and Turkey's EU bid.

The cooperation council between seven Greek ministers and the ten ones escorting Erdogan will hold a meeting on Friday under the chairmanship of the two Prime Ministers.

Later on, the Greek-Turkish business forum will take place.

On Friday noon, Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas will brief the PASOK lawmakers on Erdogan's visit and the developments in the Cyprus standoff.

Statements by Davutoglu

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu hailed Erdogan's visit to Athens as a "revolution," further stressing that the key goal is to alter the atmosphere in the relations with Greece and change the idea that the two countries are rivals.

Speaking on HABERTURK TV, Davutoglu argued that Turkey is not only after minimizing tensions with Greece but also maximizing cooperation so that there is no reason for tensions.