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FEBRUARY ’11 A meeting between friends


Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas paid an official visit to London on 16th-17th February, as part of a tour that included also trips to Cyprus and the UN headquarters in New York. The Foreign Minister held meetings with his counterpart William Hague at the Foreign Office, with Europe Minister David Lidington, the Labour leader Ed Miliband and the shadow Foreign Minister Douglas Alexander.


With regards to the Arab world upheaval, Mr Droutsas and Mr Hague agreed that the pro- cess towards the establishment of democracy in these countries will be a long one. Mr Droutsas discussed with the British Foreign Secretary the Greek Prime Minister’s initiative for the establish- ment of a ‘Democracy Centre’ in Greece, to help promote democracy in the Middle East.


The European prospect of the countries of the Western Balkan was also discussed. Mr Drout- sas reminded his counterpart of the Agenda 2014 initiative of the Greek government. As he explained, Athens hopes to confirm the entrance of the area’s countries to the EU during its next presidency of the EU in the first half of 2014.


IN THIS ISSUE 2


SHIPPING COOPERATION SMALL CYCLADES: LITTLE PARADISES UNCOVERED PATRA : GREECE’S THIRD LARGEST CITY


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100 YEARS SINCE HIS BIRTH


RESTORATION PROJECT TRAIN MADE OF SNOW HOTEL RESERVATIONS RISE IN GREECE


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Photo by Gene O’ Callaghan: Port of Chania from the collection “The Crete Road Trip Collection” ISSUE 140 4 NO CRISIS FOR 3 ODYSSEAS ELYTIS: GREECE & CHINA


Both Greece and the UK reiterated their con- tinuing support for Turkey’s efforts to secure full membership to the EU. Mr Droutsas warned though that if Ankara doesn’t comply with its ob-


ligations towards the other member countries, including Cyprus, then the entrance negotiations are in danger of stalling further.


On his part, Mr Hague hailed the bilateral relations with Greece and expressed confidence that they will keep growing strong over the coming years.


PM: A positive step for democracy in Egypt


The recent developments in Egypt were closely followed by the Greek government. Speaking to Parlia- ment on 11th February, after Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, Prime Minister George Papandreou comment- ed that “Egypt has taken a major step towards democracy thanks to the Egyptian people’s determination to take the path towards change.” He stressed the need for an open political pro- cess, with the aim of creating a new, strong and stable Egypt. Papandreou reassured the Egyptian people that “Greece and the Greek people will be at their side on this path towards change.”


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