ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ Α. ΠΑΠΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ :Θα μου επιτρέψετε να πω δυο λόγια στα αγγλικά. Να πω όμως κάποια εισαγωγικά στα ελληνικά. θα ήθελα να καλωσορίσω τον κ.Περές. Δεν χρειάζεται να μιλήσω γι' αυτόν. Είναι και χαρά μας και τιμή μας που βρίσκεται κοντά μας μια τέτοια προσωπικότητα, μια προσωπικότητα της ειρήνης και της προοπτικής για τους λαούς της ευρύτερης περιοχής.

  Έρχεται σε μια στιγμή ιδιαίτερα κρίσιμη, κρίσιμη στην διαδικασία ειρήνης στην Μέση Ανατολή, αλλά σαφώς κρίσιμη και στην ευρύτερη περιοχή των Βαλκανίων, των ελληνοτουρκικών σχέσεων και έτσι είχαμε την ευκαιρία να συζητήσουμε για όλα αυτά τα ζητήματα και θα έλεγα ακόμα να αξιοποιήσουμε την εμπειρία και σοφία του πάνω σ' αυτά τα ζητήματα.

  Let me just say a word of welcome in English. It’s truly an honour to have you with us. We not only respect but cherish your wisdom and experience. I did mention just earlier that we had the chance to discuss very important issues at a very important time, not only for the peace process in the Middle East, of which you are a very important part, but also for the whole region of the Middle East and of course the Balkans and the recent Greek-Turkish developments, particularly the discussion of the huge humanitarian effort that Greece has made, but not only Greece – other countries, Israel also – towards Turkey.

  We welcome you and wish you the best, and I very much hope that Greece, in hosting this Conference a number of times now, can be of use and helpful in the peace process which is in our vital interests also.

  Our bilateral relationships are very good. We hope that we will continue to develop them, and I hope to be able to visit you soon in Israel also. So welcome.

SHIMON PERES :Thank you very much. I want to thank the Foreign Minister, Mr. Papandreou, for his very useful and timely conversation. Greece is close to Israel philosophically and geographically; there is no reason why we shouldn’t have a very close relationship politically, as well. We live in the same Mediterranean, we are affected by the same problems, and we would like to solve them peacefully, all parties concerned.

  I believe that the peace process between us and the Palestinians will move ahead in the next few days, and I think what Greece has decided in her foreign policy, to show a feeling for the Turkish tragedy, is not only a human expression of wisdom, but also political potential for the future.

   There are clouds in the Middle East. One was the conflict between us and the Arabs; the other is the problem of Cyprus. And maybe it is the time to make rains from all the clouds that are hanging in our skies.

   We feel very close to Greece. I am also very glad with the fact that relations between Israel and Greece were highly enriched and improved, and we should do whatever we can to continue in the very same way. Thank you.

ΔΗΜΟΣΙΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ : We were wondering: The peace talks began at a time when the peace process was stalled. Now that they have again helped to light the torch in that process, what would be the input that would have an effect on the political dialogue?

SHIMON PERES :What is sure is that in the next few days Israel will implement either the Wye Plantation Agreement, or the Palestinians will accept an improved version of the Wye Plantation. So either way there will be a very important move in the next few days, and I do hope that this will open again the gates to peace.