Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis today met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer. The meeting was also attended by U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt.
The discussion focused on developments in the Balkans and the wider region. Special emphasis was put on the issue of EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans following the European Council’s recent decision not to initiate the accession negotiations of Albania and North Macedonia.
The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary with responsibility for the Western Balkans acknowledged Greece’s contribution as a stabilising factor and the leading role Greece can play in the region. There was a discussion of ways to enhance Greece’s leadership role in the Balkans through a stronger political and economic presence. In this context, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the pivotal role Thessaloniki can play as a regional hub and its development into a large port, historical centre and ‘capital’ of the Balkans.
During the meeting, Mr. Varvitsiotis raised the issue of Turkey’s violation of international legality in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Finally, noting that the American side’s decision not to impose tariffs on olive oil and olives is a positive development, he also asked for tariffs to be waived on other Greek products exported to the USA, such as canned peaches.
November 7, 2019