E. KOZAKOU-MARKOULLIS: We had a very constructive meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister for Hellenism abroad, Mr. Kostas Tsiaras, during which we discussed mainly ways to coordinate between the two governments on issues of Hellenism abroad and to promote awareness of national issues through the global Greek community. As always, our cooperation and coordination is excellent. But there is always room for improvement, and that is exactly why these meetings take place, so that we can find those ways to further improve the excellent cooperation that exists between the two countries.
As you know, I will be visiting Greece very soon -- early in September -- and I hope we will be able to continue this discussion. Our visit to the U.S., for the UN General Assembly, will also give us an opportunity to meet again, I hope, and look again at these issues that are of extreme importance to the Republic of Cyprus and Greece: capitalisation on the vast resource that is Hellenism abroad.
K. TSIARAS: As Dr Markoullis said, we had an exceptional meeting and exchanged views on issues concerning Cyprus and Hellenism abroad. She briefed me on issues concerning the negotiation process on the Cyprus issue, and I will reiterate once again that Greece stands together with Cyprus in this major effort -- under way for years now -- to find a just, viable solution for the Cyprus issue. It is important for the coordinated actions of the two countries to be a political choice, so that we can get the optimum result.
Hellenism abroad -- the reason I am here, in the sense that I am attending the Conference of Cypriots abroad -- is a vast store of national capital for both Greece and Cyprus. There are many Greeks who hold vital political positions in many countries in the world. These are people who can help at this critical time during this economic crisis that is hitting Greece and, to a lesser extent, Cyprus. These are people who can promote our national issues and support us in the direction we are all heading: confronting the major economic problems. We need to capitalise on this strength of Hellenism abroad, and we will achieve this if we coordinate our actions in this field as well, trying to give new depth to the relationship between Hellenism abroad and the mother countries, Greece and Cyprus. And Greece and Cyprus are moving together on this effort, just as we have been moving together for many years now.
August 30, 2012