Greece-Turkey Explore Cooperation in Culture and Tourism

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Turkish counterpart Nuri Ersoy. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greece and Turkey reiterated their intention to strengthen ties through collaborations in culture and tourism during a meeting in Athens between Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Turkish counterpart Nuri Ersoy.

Ersoy and Mendoni attended the premiere of “Romeo and Juliet” at the Athens Concert Hall following the opening of the play in Istanbul earlier this month co-organized and co-produced by the national theaters of Turkey and the Athens Concert Hall. The show in three languages – Greek, English and Turkish – featured actors from Greece and Turkey.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni with her Turkish counterpart and his wife at the Athens Concert Hall. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

During his visit to the Greek capital, Ersoy was given a tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, where a working dinner was held.

Among others, Mendoni said the two sides discussed issues related to cultural exchange and added that Ersoy’s visit “signals the intention of the two countries to develop their relations, both in the field of culture and tourism.”

On his part, Ersoy referred to Greece’s decision to enable travelers from Turkey to visit 10 Greek islands with a fast-track temporary visa which was announced after a historic meeting in Athens between Greek Prime Minster Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He said the decision had created a “very positive climate” and that many travelers from Turkey had already started visiting the Greek islands. He went on to add that Turkey was expecting many tourists from Greece in the coming period. Ersoy lastly said that he and Mendoni had agreed to accelerate joint initiatives in culture.