Last month the Turkish Government declared hosting the Olympics was a national priority following unsuccessful bids to win the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games.

Papandreou made his pledge during a visit to Erzurum where he was inspecting the facilities of the the 2011 World University Winter Games, which begin there on January 27.

After meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Papandreou revealed to the audience that Greece was fully behind Istanbul's campaign.

His statement "Başarılar diliyorum," which means, "I wish success" in Turkish, received a warm response from the crowd.

"We should forget the past's rivalry and prejudices," said Papandreou.

"We are honoured and proud of our countries' histories, but we would like to demolish the wall of prejudices."

During his speech, Papandreou recalled a visit made by Erdoğan in May to Athens, where he visited Panathinaiko Stadium.

"That stadium hosted the world's first Olympics in 1896," he said.

"There our goal was to convey the friendship message between Greece and Turkey to the entire world."

Erdoğan claimed that the promise of Greek support for Istanbul was further evidence of the improving relations between the two countries.

"We are expending efforts to turn the Aegean Sea into a lake of peace and friendship," he said.

"We should leave the mistakes of the past behind and build a world where peace reigns.

"We should transmit peace, love and respect to the next generations instead of a world dominated by fights, hatred or blood.

"Greece is Turkey's neighbor to the west and we share a 206-kilometre border.

"This encounter is very meaningful."

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