Tsipras to Kerry: Greece a center of stability in the region
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Greece is a center of stability in the region and a pole of cooperation, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday in welcoming the US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Maximos Mansion.
Kerry said he is aware of the major challenges that the east Mediterranean country is facing, particularly on migration, adding that he highly appreciates Athens’ efforts on the economic front. He also promised that Washington will do everything it can to help the country return to growth.
Tsipras welcomed Kerry “at this critical period for the wider region”, adding that “there are stability threats in the region and it is very important to find solutions to this problem.”
In a later meeting with Greek FM Nikos Kotzias, said the relations of friendship between the two countries remain undisturbed.
He also cited support in the area of investments, especially in the energy sector.
Turning to Greek-Turkish issues, he expressed confidence that Greece and Turkey will work together and that any airspace violation issue between them can be resolved through existing channels. He was speaking during a joint press conference with Kotzias, in response to questions concerning Turkish air space violations in the Aegean.
“Of course there shouldn’t be two standards, and let me just say that Greece and Turkey obviously have long-established diplomatic channels for addressing Aegean issues. And I am not going to try to change those channels here today. I simply encourage Greece and Turkey, as NATO allies, both of them, to work together to maintain good neighbourly relations and to encourage peace and security in the region by cooperating together,” he said.