Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-11-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis chairs broad meeting at national defence ministry

[02] FM in Moscow, to meet with Lavrov

[01] PM Karamanlis chairs broad meeting at national defence ministry

During the 2 1/2 hour meeting, Karamanlis stressed that the government "is advancing the modernisation of the Armed Forces, based on meritocracy, the reational use of the available resources, and transparency in the management of the public monies".

"We are proud of our Armed Forces which, devoted to democracy and peace, defend our national sovereignty with self-denial, are a factor of stability in the wider region through their participation in international missions, guarantee world peace in implementation of the decisions of the international community while, with their social contribution, they have earned the confidence of the citizens," Karamanlis said, pledging that "the state will stand by their side, assisting in their effort to maintain morale and preparedness at a high level".

Accompanied by Cabinet secretary Argyris Karras and director of the prime minister's press office Yannis Andrianos, Karamanlis arrived at the ministry at 10:30 a.m. where he was greeted by the entire civilian and military leadership headed by national defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis, and inspected the units aligned in the courtyard.

The premier was briefed in detail by the civilian and military leadership on matters concerning the Armed Forces' operational capability and the country's defence shielding.

[02] FM in Moscow, to meet with Lavrov

In an interview with the Russian economic/political daily Kommersant appearing in Wednesday's edition, Bakoyannis said the discussion would also cover Greek-Russian cooperation and partnership relationship at international level, chiefly in the framework of the UN Security Council, on which Greece holds a non-permanent seat until the end of the year, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organisation, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

To a question regarding advancement of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, Bakoyanis replied that she was "in the pleasant position of saing that the preparation for the signing of the relative agreement is obviously proceeding well", and expressed optimism that the target deadline for signing the agreement by the end of the year would be met, stressing that "the political volition exists on the part of all sides involved, and I am in the pleasant position to say that we are moving on the right path".

Questioned on whether accusations against Russia of energy blackmail were also voiced by European countries, Bakoyannis replied that words such as 'blackmail' and 'accusation' "have no place in the relations between Europe and Russia, which are characterised by a climate of friendship and mutual respect".

Russia, she said, was a key international factor and EU ally, and was also a basic factor in geopolitical and security issues, as well as a fundamental supplier of energy resources to the EU.

Bakoyannis further stressed the need for diversification of energy sources and seeking more environmentally-friendly sources, and expressed hope for a speedy commencement of the negotiations between Russia and the EU which, she noted, was looking at energy cooperation with the goal of signing a comprehensive agreement.

Questioned on Greece's position on Kosovo, the foreign minister reiterated that this must comprise the object of dialogue and negotiation, advised a more realistic approach by both sides, and stressed Greece's position that the achievement of a long-term comprehensive solution not be sacrificed due to time limitations.

On Turkey's EU prospect, Bakoyannis reiterated Greece's position in favour of Turkey's EU accession, on condition that it totally fulfills its agreed commitments emanating from the negotiating framework and the additional Protocol to the Ankara agreement.

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