ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Greek and Turkish foreign ministers met in Athens Friday to discuss the upcoming start of peace talks on divided Cyprus, they said at a news conference.
Evangelos Venizelos, the Greek foreign minister, reiterated Greece does not recognize a Turkish state in Northern Cyprus, and mentioned any solution must be ratified by Cypriots in a referendum.
His Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, said Turkey could contribute a solution on Cyprus, divided into Greek and Turkish domains, and mentioned Turkish claims regarding a Turkish minority population in Thrace, in northern Greece.
"The issue of our minorities must be regarded as an opportunity, a bridge that can unite our two peoples," Davutoglu said.
They also discussed issues of illegal immigration, religious freedom and plans to construct a mosque in Athens, the Greek website Ekathimerini.com reported.
