Following his official visit to Estonia, Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos traveled to Munich to participate in the proceedings of the 49th Munich Security Conference on international policy and security, which is considered the most important independent forum on these issues.
Within the framework of the conference, Mr. Avramopoulos met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. In their talks, the two Ministers focused on issues concerning the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), as well as the broadening of Greek-Azerbaijani cooperation in the sectors of economy, investments and tourism.
As Mr. Avramopoulos announced, the Greek-Italian-Albanian intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the pipeline will be signed in Athens on 13 February, with a representative of the Azerbaijani government taking part in the ceremony. Mr. Avramopoulos also accepted a proposal from Mr. Mammadyarov to visit Baku in the coming time.
Mr. Avramopoulos also met with the leader of the National Syrian Coalition, Al Khatib, to whom, having stressed the traditional relations of friendship that link the two peoples, expressed the Greek government’s support, underscoring Greece’s firm position that the solution of the Syrian issue can come only through political processes and with respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Foreign Minister also stressed the need to respect the rights and protect the security of all the country’s religious communities, giving emphasis to the protection of the Greek Orthodox community.
Mr. Avramopoulos also met with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ehud Barak and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, with whom he reaffirmed the will of the two countries for further deepening of bilateral relations. During the talks they discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in key sectors, with emphasis on economy. They also exchanged views on the critical developments in the Middle East and North Africa.
Shortly before departing for France, where he will carry out an official visit at the invitation of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Mr. Avramopoulos spoke by phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who was in Turkey. The two Ministers agreed to meet in the coming time, within the framework of preparations for the Greek-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council set to take place in Turkey on 5 March.
February 2, 2013