Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-20

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM holds talks with Beckett

[01] Greek FM holds talks with Beckett

Bakoyannis was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis during her talks which also covered EU enlargement, Turkey's European course, the Cyprus issue and the Iran crisis.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, who had a working lunch with the Greek officials at Lancaster House, told reporters that her talks with Bakoyannis were particularly useful and said she had the opportunity to brief the Greek foreign minister on the talks she had these past days on the crisis in Lebanon, with foreign ministers of countries within and out of the European Union.

Beckett said:"We also discussed the issue of the evacuation from Lebanon of nationals of European Union countries and on this issue we are cooperating very closely with Greece. The evacuation of European nationals from Lebanon is a broader collective effort of the European Union. We are particularly grateful for the help which Cyprus is offering in the humanitarian effort for the evacuation of European citizens from Lebanon."

"We also discussed the negotiations concerning Turkey's European course. We also discussed the Cyprus issue, the prospects of progress for finding a solution. Along with other European countries we have common strategic objectives on this issue and we hope to continue negotiations and cooperation between us ," the British foreign secretary added.

On her part, Greek Foreign Minister Bakoyannis said that "the discussions we had today at the Foreign Office were extremely interesting. Greece and Great Britain are cooperating within the European Union, and now that Greece is a non-permanent member of the Security Council, at the Security Council also. I had the opportunity to discuss with my British counterpart Middle East issues, where the concern, as you are aware, is common in all the member states of the European Union, but also broader, the developments which we have. She thanked me for Greece's role in the humanitarian aid which is being given these days, for the best possible coordination of the European Union in Lebanon, so that people wishing to leave Lebanon, to have the opportunity to do so and naturally at the same time we have occupied ourselves on the aftermath."

"My country's view is known. We believe that that there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible so that the possibility be given for a diplomatic solution. Naturally, what we ask for is for the two Israeli soldiers which have been kidnapped, to be promptly returned, so that Lenanon itself to be protected. We also discussed the issue of Iran and of course referred analytically to Turkey's European course, the difficulties which are being presented and I had the opportunity to explain Greece's position. Greece, as you know, supports Turkey's European course. The prerequisites are clear, Turkey assumed certain obligations towards the European Union and must honour them," Bakoyannis added.

The Greek foreign minister went on to say:"Regarding the Cyprus issue, we discusssed Mr. (UN Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim) Gambari's initiative, the presence of Mr. Gambari in Cyprus, the results of which as you know, have led to certain decisions for the operation of committees and at the same time we also had the opportunity to rediscuss the issues related to the Regulation, which started by the Luxembourg presidency and there are certain basic ideas for free trade, who this Regulation could proceed."

The foreign reporters were briefed by Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos, who also took part in the talks.

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