GREECE: Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas meets Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Record ID: 396029

  • Title: GREECE: Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas meets Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
  • Date: 13th January 2011
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (JANUARY 12, 2011) (REUTERS) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN ARRIVING AT GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER'S OFFICE LIEBERMAN AND GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER DIMITRIS DROUTSAS WALKING INTO OFFICE LIEBERMAN AND DROUTSAS SHAKING HANDS VARIOUS OF LIEBERMAN AND DROUTSAS SEATED FOR TALKS LIEBERMAN AND DROUTSAS STANDING AT PODIUMS FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE)
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece, Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Reuters ID: LVA2641NO82VW7U5CXJSJ3JW6K2Q
  • Story Text: Greek and Israeli foreign ministers on Wednesday (January 12) announced plans to participate in a newly formed cooperation committee in a move to further strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.
    Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman met with his counterpart at the onset of a tour which will see him meet various Greek leadership.
    The committee aims to expand economic and strategic ties, the ministers said during a new conference held in Athens.
    "In the last period the exchange of visits with Israel have increased, that is not by chance. It is a result of our volition for the improvement of our relations in all areas. Last night, as you know, the two prime ministers, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Netanyahu, had a telephone discussion where they decided to give more weight to our bilateral relations, to seal them institutionally. For that reason a cooperation committee will be created, with the participation of ministers from both sides, and Avigdor and I will take care of coordinating this effort and the first meeting, which will take place within the next two months," said Greece Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas.
    In a meeting held prior to the news conference the two foreign ministers discussed a range of issues including tourism, the environment and energy, besides the economy and the middle east peace process, said Lieberman.
    The Israeli Foreign Minister said he welcomed Greece's help as a country that held strong relations with the Palestinians and the other middle eastern neighbours.
    "The tightening of our economic relations will undoubtedly be the challenge for the next period," said Lieberman.
    "We recognise and emphasise the relations Greece has with all the other countries in the region. I would be especially happy if Greece can help in further strengthening relations between Israel and the related countries."
    This comes as troubled diplomatic relations continue between Israel and Turkey. Conflict ignited in May last year when Israeli military raided a Gaza bound aid flotilla - nine Turks were killed during the struggle.
    Israel is looking beyond its troubled alliance with Turkey for other strategic Mediterranean partners.
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a similar trip in August 2010 when he met Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Athens.
    Netanyahu's trip marked him as the highest ranking Israeli to ever visit Greece, which only forged full diplomatic ties with the Jewish state in 1990, later than other European countries.
    Netanyahu had said the two nations, which signed a defence cooperation agreement in 1994, were "opening a new chapter."
    Greece has had long traditional relations with Palestine and supports an independent Palestinian state.
    Lieberman is also expected to meet Papandreou, Greek defence minister Evangelos Venizelos, the President as well as the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Leronymos during his three day visit.
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