Britain and Greece agreed that after the recent devastating earthquakes, Turkey needs extra economic assistance, and that ways to achieve this will be decided after discussions with the European Commission and the other EU partners, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said after talks with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook in London yesterday.

The two men also tackled Euro-Turkish relations, in view of the Helsinki summit, and the Cyprus issue.

"Cyprus cannot remain an open wound, while the circumstances are now particularly favourable for an effort to commence for a fair and viable solution", he said. Mr. Cook said particular emphasis was given on how the upcoming on the Cyprus issue would be crowned with success.

"The British government, due to its historical ties with Cyprus, will work hard and will do everything possible for this process to succeed and for the problem to be solved in a way that meets the expectations of the entire population of the island, under a single sovereign government.

Mr. Cook praised "the immediate and very generous response of the Greek people to the people of Turkey (after the recent earthquake) as well as the very hard work by the Greek rescue team".