Α letter addressed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his Greek counterpart George Papandreou was delivered on Monday to Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas by the Turkish ambassador to Athens, as a follow up to Papandreou's visit to Istanbul and meeting with Erdogan, according to a foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday.

Spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras also reminded that the Greek prime minister's decision to visit Istanbul highlighted the new government's intent to undertake initiatives. He said the messages sent out went to three directions namely, Balkan states, showing them that Greece supports and wants to facilitate their EU accession course; the Turkish people, by displaying a readiness for a meaningful improvement of bilateral relations for the benefit of regional stability as well as to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, by showing that the Greek government supports firmly its position and demands.

Responding to a relevant question, Delavekouras said the Turkish PM's letter constitutes "routine practice" and that the prime minister will send his reply shortly.

As regards the contacts of Turkey's Minister of State and chief negotiator for the EU, Egemen Bagis, with the Greek government, Delavekouras stated that they will take place in view of December's Summit meeting when Turkey will undergo "objective and strict evaluation". He also said that "everything is possible. Greece is waiting for Turkey's tangible response to the EU criteria and prerequisites and the commitments it has undertaken," pointing out that there will be "no shortcuts".

Referring to the operation of Frontex, Delavekouras pointed out that "Greece wants Turkey's cooperation with Frontex," considering that no such agreement has been signed yet despite Ankara's statement that it will do so.

He underlined that such a development would be "crucial" in dealing with the illegal migrant wave Greece is faced with and expressed the wish that the visit by EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, to Turkey on Thursday will contribute toward this direction. 

He also reminded that Greece has signed a migrant readmission protocol with Turkey since 2001 which, however, "is not being observed by Turkey". Referring to the harassment incidents targeting Frontex aircraft, he pointed out that it is an "illegal behaviour" and Greece has made the necessary moves.