Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos participates in the Informal (Gymnich) Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos participated today, Friday, 6 September 2013, in the Informal Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius.

During the first session, on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Mr. Venizelos had the opportunity to refer to the need to emphasize the comprehensive European strategy on maritime security, an issue that is also linked to maritime policy as a priority of the upcoming Greek EU Presidency.

Within the framework of the discussion on the European defence industrial and technological base, Mr. Venizelos briefed his counterparts on the matter that has arisen with regard to the Greek defence industry, which, to the extent that it meets military needs and is thus part of the thinking behind CSDP, cannot be dealt with solely on the basis of fiscal and financial criteria.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will participate in tomorrow’s meeting of the Council.