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Greek FM addresses Washington Council of Foreign Relations
WASHINGTON,
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou made an extensive analysis of Greek
foreign policy positions, including the country’s relations with Turkey and
the course of the Cyprus problem, in a speech at the Council of Foreign
Relations in Washington.
Papandreou, who is in the US for a five-day visit that began on Monday,
delivered his "Greece's foreign policy: goals and strategy" speech on
Tuesday, before an audience of US government officials, academics and
representatives of US think tanks.
Outlining the problems of the surrounding region, Papandreou focused on Greece as a member of the European Union and answered questions on how Greece could help lead the Balkans out of the current crisis.
The Greek minister found himself facing an audience containing several prestigious figures, such as Stephen Larrabee of the Rand Corporation, Helmut Sonnenfeldt of The Brookings Institution and others, while a lively discussion ensued that covered most topics concerning Greek-US bilateral relations, relations between the US and Europe, the future of NATO and the prospects of the EU.
The talks also gave Papandreou an opportunity to answer questions on the progress of Greek-Turkish rapprochement and to identify those issues that Athens considers 'non-negotiable'.
Papandreou particularly noted Greek investments in Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), stressing the need for further development in those areas.
During his speech, the minister reiterated standing Greek positions regarding respect for existing borders, democratic institutions and human rights and referred to collaboration between Balkan countries to combat organized crime and implement the Balkan Stability Pact.
AHEPA dinner: During a dinner given later on Tuesday for Papandreou and the Greek delegation by the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA), US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns spoke warmly about the Greek government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis and welcomed the presence of the Greek foreign minister.
Burns, who is shortly to be transferred from Athens to a new post in Brussels, described Papandreou's visit to Washington as 'very successful' and said it reinforced the already close ties between Greece and the US even further.
"I feel respect for Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his government, with whom I have had excellent cooperation until now," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Papandreou had the opportunity to meet editors of major US newspapers and brief them on regional issues.
He is due to speak at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Wednesday.
Papandreou denies reports claiming US requests over anti-terrorism operations: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday denied press reports that US officials have requested that American agencies conduct anti-terrorism investigations on Greek soil.
He said such reports were baseless, stressing that Greece, as a democratic country with democratic institutions, has every reason to make the combating of terrorism a priority.
"This decision (to combat terrorism) by the Greek government has been understood by the Greek people. Greece has outgrown its complex of dependence with other countries. Greece discusses all issues of cooperation with other countries, including with the United States," Papandreou said.
Additionally, he said Greek authorities are sincerely discussing the issue with their American counterparts in order to resolve a "very real problem".
"Without (psychological) complexes we have a substantial and positive cooperation," the Greek FM said, stressing that during his visit in the United States a variety of important issues were discussed, while stressing that saying that terrorism was the most important issue discussed would be a mistake.
He also said US officials outlined their positions regarding terrorism in Greece as well as Athens' efforts to combat the problem in the recent US State Department report covering the east Mediterranean country. The report praised Greece's anti-terrorism efforts and bilateral cooperation on the matter.
Gov't: Meanwhile, in Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that no such request was made for a more active role of US agencies in Greek anti-terrorism operations.
Reppas said the issue was on the agenda of Papandreou's talks in the United States, while he emphasized that Athens does not accept the notion that anyone can replace "our own agencies on issues relating to criminal activities in our country".
"The result, of course, lags behind the aims of the Greek government, and we should say that we are not happy with the progress of investigations. Our position is well known and so is our will to combat terrorism," he said.
"For this reason we cooperate with other countries so as to have results
sooner," Reppas noted, adding that Greece is confident the 2004 Olympic
Games will be conducted amid a climate of total safety and security.
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