Foreign Minister Kotzias meets with India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Vijay Kumar Singh (Luxembourg, 6 November 2015)

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met with India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Vijay Kumar Singh, a short while ago, on the margins of the 12th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Luxembourg.

The two Ministers jointly ascertained that Greek-Indian relations are excellent, but that they have not been developed to the desired level, as there is much potential for their strengthening. To this end, an action plan was agreed on that includes meetings of working groups of experts from the two countries for promoting cooperation in a number of sectors of mutual interest – such as the political, military, economic, tourism and trade sectors – as well as on India’s relations with the European Union.

Also discussed was the expansion of cooperation in the sector of cultural exchanges, and Mr. Kotzias presented the initiative he is drawing up for holding – and for examining the potential future institutionalization of – an International Conference of countries that have made a special contribution to global culture.

Mr. Kotzias also referred to the challenges Greece is facing due to the rapid increase in migration and refugee influxes, adding that the dimensions the refugee issue has taken on can be limited on if the root causes are confronted, including, mainly, the war in Syria. Of particular importance, he noted, for achieving stability in the region is the contribution of neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, while there is a key role for Turkey, where hotspots should also be created for controlling and processing refugees and migrants.

Mr. Singh acknowledged the huge pressures Greece is under due the refugee issue and expressed his congratulations to the Greek people on their stance.