Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-05

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis receives Thai Dep. PM, UN chief candidate Sathirathai

[01] Karamanlis receives Thai Dep. PM, UN chief candidate Sathirathai

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis also met with Sathirathai shortly before an Inner Cabinet meeting.

In statements after their talks, Bakoyannis noted the good relations between the two countries at both the political and economic level, despite the distance between them, adding that the two sides had agreed that more steps could be taken to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Bakoyannis reiterated its position concerning the Thai leader's UN candidacy, noting that Greece was in favour of an Asian candidacy, while adding that a detailed discussion would be made at the next UN General Assembly on both changes to the UN's operation and the candidacies for the post of Secretary General, with voting slated for the end of the year.

Sathirathai, who is on his third visit to Greece, said he had agreed with both Karamanlis and Bakoyannis that cooperation needed to be strengthened so that the two countries would serve as a hub for each other. Thailand, he added, could become a hub for Greece through the creation of a consortium of 10 Asian countries.

Thailand, he explained, had similar bilateral agreements with several countries, including China and New Zealand. Sathirathai noted that he was accompanied on his visit by a representative of the Thai business community, aimed at transforming Greece into a hub for Thai products.

Regarding his UN candidacy, Sathirathai stressed that there were many areas for close cooperation with Greece in foreign policy, given that Athens plays an important role in international affairs.

Referring to the Cyprus isue, he said the UN, in cooperation with Greece, could play a role in the resolution of the long-standing problem.

Finally, he noted that his candidacy is backed by 10 countries in SE Asia.

ANA-MPA photo

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