The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, met in Lisbon today with Portugal’s candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
Mr. Guterres set out for Mr. Xydakis his candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General. The discussion, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, focussed on issues of common concern to Greece and Portugal, as well as on the latest developments in the refugee and migration crisis, a priority issue for the two countries as well as the European Union.
Mr. Guterres noted that Greece is under pressure from a lack of solidarity in the management of the migration issue, while at the same time it is under pressure from the austerity of recent years. The collocutors agreed they had noticed that the politicians who are in favor of strict adherence to rules and commitments where the economy and memorandums are concerned are not putting the same pressure on EU countries to implement EU agreements concerning the refugee crisis.
Mr. Xydakis today completes his visit to Portugal, during which he met with State Secretary Margarida Marques, Interior Minister Constança Urbano de Sousa, and a delegation from the Bloco de Esquerda political party. He also participated in a session of the Portuguese Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Regina Bastos, an MP of the main opposition party (PSD).
Mr. Xydakis is to meet tomorrow in Rome with the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi, Undersecretary of Interior Filippo Bubbico, and the Deputy Foreign Minister competent for Greek-Italian bilateral relations, Vincenzo Amendola.
March 9, 2016