Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-04

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis to Putin: Greece views Russia as a 'strategic partner'

[02] Greece, S. Korea sign maritime, tourism accords

[01] Karamanlis to Putin: Greece views Russia as a 'strategic partner'

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis received visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at his Maximos Mansion office in Athens on Monday for high-level talks on a variety of bilateral issues, ahead of a three-party meeting between Karamanlis, Putin and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov focusing directly on an oil pipeline project jointly being built by the three leaders' countries.

In greeting the Russian president, Karamanlis underlined that Athens views Moscow as a "partner of strategic importance", while citing bilateral issues, regional cooperation and international matters as being on the agenda of talks.

"Greece places particular emphasis on the further development of relations with Russia in all sectors, as well as in the boosting of relations between the European Union and Russia," Karamanlis said.

On his part, Putin noted that the Athens meeting will allow the two sides to discuss bilateral, multilateral and international issues, as well as current hitches in our cooperation, while stressing the issue of financial cooperation".

Bulgarian head of state of Purvanov was expected to arrive at the Maximos Mansion at 4 p.m. (14.00GMT) to join Karamanlis and Putin, with statements expected to follow.

Caption: PM Karamanlis greets Russian President Putin on Monday, Sept. 4, 2006, outside his office in Athens. ANA-MPA photo / O. Panagiotou.

[02] Greece, S. Korea sign maritime, tourism accords

The South Korea president arrived in Athens on Sunday afternoon for a three-day official visit at Papoulias' invitation, heading a large delegation of Korean officials and businesspeople.

Upon arrival at the presidential mansion, the two presidents inspected an honour guard in the presence of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyannis, and Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia.

The meeting, which was also attended by Bakoyannis and S. Korean foreign and trade minister Ban Ki-moon, was sealed with the signing of two agreements.

An agreement on seaborne transports was signed by Kefaloyiannis and South Korean minister of maritime and fisheries Kim Sung-jin, while the second agreement, on tourism cooperation, was signed by Palli-Petralia and Ban.

Papoulias said the signing of these two agreements would strengthen the already broad institutional framework for the further development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, adding that the relations between Greece and S. Korea were "excellent".

"The accords we signed help in the establishment of a model of mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors of high importance in both countries, the S. Korean president told reporters after the meeting, expressing expectations for the development of cooperation in the sector of technology as well.

The two Presidents discussed the "major regional issues", and Papoulias briefed Roh on the situation in the Balkans, Greece's relations with its neighbouring countries, and developments in the Cyprus issue.

Roh, in turn, briefed Papoulias on the situation in the Korean peninsula, and the two men agreed that the problem with North Korea must be resolved with peaceful means, and within a six-part framework that has been agreed.

Roh expressed admiration for the role played by Greece in favour of stability in the Balkans, and underlined the common goals of the two countries regarding the preservation of peace and regional cooperation. Goals, he said, which were of particular significance due to Greece's membership in NATO and its seat on the UN Security Council.

The S. Korean president further thanked the Greek people for their contribution in the Korean War with the despatch of a military corps, noting that the Greeks "shared in our effort".

Roh also invited Papoulias to visit S. Korea, aimed at the further reinforcement of bilateral relations and the friendly ties between the two countries.

Papoulias expressed hope that Greece's economic, political and geographical advantages will attract investments from S. Korea, and wished Roh "every success", while he also wished "peace and prosperity" for the Korean people.

Caption: South Korea President Roh Moo-Hyun. ANA-MPA photo / M. Kiaou.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article