Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-03-30
CONTENTS
[01] U.S. envoy on Greek FM's Washington visit
[01] U.S. envoy on Greek FM's Washington visit
U.S. Ambassador to Athens Charles Ries expressed his government's
satisfaction over the outcome of the recent visit to Washington by
Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and the current level of Greek-U.S.
relations, addressing the annual conference of the "Council of Hellenic
American Heritage" in Washington on Thursday, while also praising the
performance of the Greek economy.
Ries said that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and all State
Department officials dealing with Greece had very good cooperation with
Bakoyannis, adding that "strategic cooperation" between the two
countries is no mere slogan but a conscientious option of the two
countries for close cooperation on a wide spectrum of issues which is
not limited to bilateral issues.
The amabassador said that in this framework Greece "can play a
considerable role in the dialogue with Islam, exploiting its
traditionally good relations with the moslem world and more recently
with Israel," while underlining the very good cooperation existing in
Afghanistan "where Greece is managing an excellent hospital unit which
is helping Afghan citizens".
Ries also said that Greece's continuing support for Turkey's European
course is in its interests. Referring to the issue of Cyprus as well,
he said that the U.S. government realises that for a viable solution to
be achieved it must be acceptable to the two communities on the
island.
Lastly, commenting on the state of the Greek economy, the ambassador
said that following the development impetus during the Olympic period
Greece succeeded in avoiding economic recession and the Greek economy
is continuing to grow at a considerable rate. Ries also predicted that
structural changes being carried out will produce results with regard
to growth and attracting investments.
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