Papandreou acknowledges the difficulties that accompany such a crusade may very well continue beyond his political career or even lifetime. He agrees that the erection of institutions and legislation that support this cooperation has to start. He acknowledges that Cyprus is a paramount issue. The issues between Greece and Turkey have not disappeared and his optimism is not to be confused with oversight of the situation's gravity. Military interventions, international law disputes and the Kurdish dispute are still only some of the outstanding issues that plague the regional politics.
However, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" quoted Papandreou from an old Chinese proverb. "We have taken that first step."
Osman F. Boyner and George Nikas are from Turkey and Greece respectively. Boyner is an MPA student at the Kennedy School of Government.