Within the framework of the close relations and good cooperation of Greece with countries of the Arab world, Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas hosted a luncheon today in honor of the Ambassadors of Arab countries to Athens.
There was a fertile exchange of views at the meeting, not only regarding Greece’s bilateral relations with these countries, but also concerning developments in the wider region of North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, with particular emphasis on the developments in Syria and the efforts of the Arab League and the UN to bring an immediate stop to the violence and promote proposals that will allow for the free expression of the Syrian people’s will. They also looked at developments in the Middle East peace process and the prospects for getting past the existing impasse.
Mr. Dimas also briefed his collocutors on the major decisions taken at the recent Eurogroup meeting, stressing that this agreement strengthens confidence in the Greek economy and opens up major investment opportunities for business synergies in sectors of common interest, including the construction, tourism and energy sectors.
The excellent relations of trust that Greece maintains with all the countries and peoples of the Arab world were reaffirmed, and Greece reiterated its readiness to continue to assist the bilateral and regional efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region.
February 23, 2012