Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis Concludes Meetings at UN General Assembly

Greek Foreign Minister characterized his contacts, made on the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly, as “substantial and constructive”.

In his statements to ANA – MPA, Mr. Lambrinidis stressed that “with our presence here, our consecutive contacts and engagements in summits, we highlighted the possibilities and challenges of our country”, underlining that “the economic crisis, has not confined us in our shell, it did not isolate us, but instead, made us even more extrovert, something which was recognized by many, on Greece’s role in the region and, more broadly, on maintaining international security and stability”.

Mr. Lambrinidis confirmed that great interest was shown on the current situation of our country, reiterating the Prime Minister’s and Government’s assurance that agreements with our partners and creditors will be met and that “we will implement all that is necessary to emerge stronger from this crisis, achieving major structural changes that will change the image of Greece”.

Among issues discussed during the Foreign Minister’s contacts, was the economic crisis, Turkish threats against Cyprus conducting research in the EEZ, the Cyprus issue, the FYROM name issue, the broader situation in the Middle East, developments in the Balkans, and other specific bilateral issues.

In regard to Turkey’s “provocative actions”, Mr. Lambrinidis noted that during his discussion with President Christofias and his Cypriot counterpart, Erato Kozakou – Markoulli, a “coincidence of views” was found, on both the “need for a consistent risk management, based on international law” and “the prevention of militarizing the situation, because it may be pursued by the Turkish side”.

Mr. Lambrinidis exchanged views with leaders and counterparts from Balkan countries, mainly on the effort of Greece to promote the European perspective for the entire Western Balkan region, but also the framework of bilateral partnerships.

During the last day of his contacts in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with his counterparts from Indonesia, Sudan, and Iraq, a country expected to be visited by Mr. Lambrinidis within the following two month period, on invitation of his Iraqi counterpart. In his meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Liberman, Mr. Lambrinidis discussed the “further empowerment” of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

In relation to developments in the Middle East, after President Mahmoud Abbas filed a request to the UN, on an independent Palestinian state, Mr. Lambrinidis stressed that “Palestinians have the right to have their own homeland and their own state.

However, it is certain that the comprehensive solution to the problem and problems in the region in general, will be achieved through substantial negotiations. Therefore, instead of conflict, all involved parties, the international community and particularly we in the European Union should jointly work in a systematic manner so as to establish the Palestinian state and at the same time ensure the permanent security of the Israeli state”.

The Greek Foreign Minister concluded the schedule of his visit in New York, addressing the UN General Assembly, yesterday morning (Greek Time).

In addition to his contacts with leaders and officials from UN member-states delegations, and his participations in summits, Mr. Lambrinidis also had the opportunity to be interviewed by major TV networks, such as CNBC, FOX, BBC and the Associated Press.
This afternoon (Greek Time), Mr. Lambrinidis will depart from New York, to Los Angeles and subsequently San Francisco, to meet local officials, “think tank” executives and representatives of the Greek American Community.