British Secretary of State in Athens for talks with Greek counterpart

 

Kotzias: “Greek-British relations are historic and with a great future”

 

 

The relations between Greece and the United Kingdom are historic, long-term and with a great future, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said during a joint press conference with his British counterpart, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson, who visited Athens on April 6th.

“We respect the decision of the British people and we want to form the best possible deal between the EU and the UK which will serve both sides with friendship, not vindictiveness,” he said.

 

“We want Britain’s exit from the EU to be orderly and with a plan, in a way that the UK will remain as close as possible to the EU and with the best possible relations with other countries such as Greece. We want to minimise the losses from Britain’s departure and maximise our opportunities,” Minister Kotzias said. “We want negotiations between the EU and Britain to be intelligent and take place in a dispassionate manner. We know that all the advantages of an agreement are accompanied by obligations.”

The Minister made a special reference to three issues that mostly concern Greece: avoiding the negative financial implications from Brexit, safeguarding Greek workers and students’ rights in the UK, as well as those of Britons living in Greece, avoiding the negative impact on trade in goods and services, and of course tourism, as Greece welcomes annually a very large number of British nationals.

On Cyprus, he said Greece seeks “proper, just and smart solutions,” reiterating Athens consistent position that no third countries should have intervention and guarantee rights or a military presence on the island.

On his part, the British Foreign Secretary praised the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, namely President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “for their tremendous efforts” and “political self-sacrifice” and for the fact that they spend “so much energy” with a view to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Minister Kotzias said they also discussed the situation in Syria, as well as the initiatives taken by the UK on the issue. “We are against unjust wars and terrorism and both countries have condemned the deadly attack in Syria,” he said.

On his side, Minister Johnson condemned the recent gas attack in Syria, saying “the Assad regime continues to treat the citizens of the country in such a manner.”

He said the two Ministers didn’t discuss Brexit too much, but noted “much more important issues” such as the historic bonds of friendship between the two countries which come first and will continue in the same framework after Britain has exited the EU. “We may be leaving the European Union but we are not leaving Europe […] Our friendship with Europe concerns our friendship with Greece and we discussed the prospect of developing that relation.”

The British Foreign Secretary expressed his gratitude for the views presented by his Greek counterpart on the negotiations with the EU saying the two sides can reach an agreement that would be mutually beneficial. He said it’s very fortunate for his country that there are many Greek citizens working and studying in the UK and thus contributing to the economy and society. “For all our citizens, Greeks and British, we want to reach an agreement that would be mutually beneficial, a good deal,” he said, adding Greece and the UK can promote their economic, political and strategic relations.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also met with visiting British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson at the Maximos Mansion. Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and the British Ambassador to Greece Kate Smith participated in the meeting.

According to Government sources, the talks focused on bilateral issues, the Cyprus issue and the course of negotiations between Britain and EU with regard to Brexit, as well as developments in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the refugee crisis.

 

Photos: Visiting Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson meets with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras; and giving statements to the press with his Greek counterpart, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. The Brexit, Cyprus peace talks, Greek-Turkish relations, bilateral relations and regional affairs featured on the agenda of discussions.

(Photographs by T.Bolari/Eurokinissi & C.Costakis/GDL.)