Real benefits of trade

Real changes are not achieved on podiums under limelight, they come quietly– and it is a fine statement supporting the importance of trade and people who engage in it. At the time when people throw slogans about conflcts, civilizations and wars - the energy links move us closer and closer. Two former enemies are engaged in booming trade. And while the school textbooks still spew hatred and lies, the relationships improve and trade flows. Why it could not be like that between Israel and Palestine for instance?

This is the first link of the southern European energy ring...which (Turkey, Italy and Greece) are creating with European Union support," Karamanlis said.
"In the immediate future, Greece and Turkey will be able to contribute
in common to Europe's energy supply, and at a time when ths contribution is of
particular significance," the Greek leader said.
The pipeline is also a reminder of the progress made since the two countries nearly went to war in 1996 over an uninhabited islet in the Aegean Sea.
Though disputes over Aegean territoriality and the division of Cyprus remain, the NATO allies are now holding regular talks to bridge their differences and their economic partnership is booming.
Turkish exports to Greece more than doubled between 2000 and last year to reach 1.3 billion euros (1.9 dollars), a rise from 1.18 to 2.62 percent of Greece's total imports, said a European embassy specialist on the Greek economy, speaking on condition of anonymity."(With the pipeline), the Greek-Turkish rapprochement will become even warmer, we are friends now" Erdogan said.