GEORGE A. PAPANDREOU : First of all, I would like to welcome Mr. Hoon on his trip here to Athens and we had a very good conversation. First of all, how we can utilize the new framework conclusions of the Helsinki summit, particularly see how we can work together and helping move along the Cyprus problem. We will have discussions, we will have negotiations beginning in the end of this month, again, the second round and therefore, our cooperation in this area is one area which we discussed.

  Secondly, we also discussed how we can work together and again within this new Helsinki framework with Turkey and its European course, its movement as a European candidate. We also discussed the issue of Kosovo and in general Yugoslavia, the Balkans and how we can, again on a bilateral basis, work together to help both for the stability but also for the reconciliation of the different ethnic groups in the region.

  So, it was a very rich agenda and a very interesting discussion. And I think there are many opportunities for further and more cooperation. Also, we already have a very close cooperation but further cooperation is certainly something which we have been able to see that there are many - many margins of enlargement.

  So, again, welcome, and I give you the floor.

GEOFF HOON : I want to say, first of all, how pleased I am to be here and to have had excellent conversations. George and I shared many meetings when I was the Minister of Europe. I am sorry in a sense that I no longer have that responsiblity but I am pleased to be here as Britain’s Secretary State for Defense.

  Britain and Greece work closely together in the run-up to the Helsinki summit. The agreement reached there was - I think - assisted by the close cooperation that we have. What is important now is that we take advantage of the opportunity that Helsinki affords.

  My specific responsibilities in relation to Defense where the two countries were working closely together, but equally in the wider political questions, particularly those involving Turkey. And I congratulate Greece on the sophistication and maturity showed in reaching the decision at Helsinki and George in particular played a leading role in achieving that excellent conclusion.

  Our opportunity now is to build on the Helsinki agreement  and certainly the United Kingdom is ready and willing to help where necessary. We believe that there is a tremendous opportunity in resolving the difficulties that have existed in Cyprus and we will certainly play whatever part we can, if we can be of assistance. We look forward to that opportunity.

  I think they are examples in the way in which United Kingdom and Greece can work closely together into the future and the friendship that we have at the personal level, I know, is reflected in the friendship between our respective heads of government and indeed, between the people of Greece and Britain.

  So, I am delighted to be here. We have had excellent discussions and I look forward to continuing them in the future.

GEORGE A. PAPANDREOU : Thank you very much. Just one more comment. I do want to thank you, thank the U.K. for all the help you gave the process, the Helsinki process with the proposals you made and in particular on the Cyprus issue. I think that was very crucial in the final analysis, in the final conclusion of these negotiations.

GEOFF HOON : Thank you very much, indeed.