Foreign Minister Kotzias talks by phone with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias talked by phone a short while ago with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

During their conversation, which took place in a warm climate, they discussed developments in Ukraine in light of the recent Minsk agreement and the ceasefire that is to go into effect at midnight tonight. They also discussed relations with Russia, following Mr. Kotzias’s recent visit to Moscow.

Foreign Minister Kotzias briefed his U.S. counterpart on the recent initiative with regard to protection of Christian populations in the Middle East, which was discussed, following a Greek initiative, at last Monday’s (9 February 2015) meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers, in Brussels.

Mr. Kotzias also briefed Mr. Kerry on Greece’s firm will to reach an agreement with its partners on a programme that will end austerity, meet  the country’s reform needs, confront the humanitarian crisis and support the reconstruction of the National Economy. Mr. Kerry reiterated the support of the U.S. for the success of the efforts of Greece, with its European partners, to find a mutually acceptable programme for exiting the crisis.