Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that Seoul is actively seeking to have North and South Korea march together at the opening ceremony of the Athens Summer Olympics.

Ban made the remarks in the Greek capital during a meeting with Gianna Angelopuoulos-Daskalaki, president of the Athens Olympic Organizing Committee.

Ban also told Angelopuolos that if Athens deems it necessary, Seoul is willing to provide active cooperation in preparing and managing the sports event, citing South Korea's experience of hosting the 1988 Olympics.

Angelopoulos thanked Seoul's willingness for cooperation and said that Athens' preparations are well underway as scheduled for the event, which will attract some 15,000 athletes from 202 nations.

She also expressed hope that the Olympics would provide an opportunity for the whole world to unite as one.

Ban is scheduled to meet with Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos and hold talks with Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis on Thursday.

The South Korean official arrived in Athens from Turkey on Wednesday on the third and last leg of his weeklong European visit, which also included a visit to Ireland.

Korean athletes marched together at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Games under a flag depicting the entire Korean Peninsula.