Greece’s role in the Balkans Discussed with Congressmen

Washington, D.C.- At their meeting with the Greek Ambassador in Washington Alexandros Mallias, Senators Jim Johnson and Frank Lautenburg underlined Hellas’ important partnership relations with the U.S., as well as Greece’ strategic position in S.A. Europe. The meeting took place within the framework of contacts with American lawmakers.

Mr Mallias also met with MP Ileana Ros –Lehtinen, who is the President of the Parliamentary sub-committee responsible for the Middle East and Central Asia, and with MP Eliot Engel, who is member of the Parliamentary International Relations Committee and President of the “Albanian group” in the Congress.

Mr Mallias discussed with Mr Engel about developments in the Balkans and especially in Kosovo, as well as about Greek initiatives for stability in the wider region.

During his meetings, the Greek Ambassador had the opportunity to talk about the dynamic presence of post Olympic Greece the big opportunities it offers for investments and business initiatives in a developing market of 120 consumers in S.E. Europe, as well as about the importance of Hellas regarding the free and safe transfer of liquid fuel to the western markets.

Reference was also made to how important it is for Skopje to accept Mr Mathew Nimitz’ last March proposals on the name of FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). He also briefed his interlocutors on Turkey’s unwillingness to comply with its commitments to the European Union in relation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Cyprus issue and the continuing violations of the Hellenic airspace.

Finally, he delivered a speech at the Hellenic American Institute about Hellas’ role in the Balkans. He also participated in a discussion on “Balkans: Initiatives for Stability and the Euro-American Interests” with Professor Dimitris Keridis, Associate Professor of the Constantine Karamanlis Chair at Fletcher School, Tufts University in Boston.