IRNA. January 15, 2001
Athens, Jan. 15, IRNA -- Greece and Cuba Monday signed an agreement to
promote bilateral political cooperation.
The agreement was signed by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and
his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque following talks between the two
ministers.
Speaking to reporters after their 2-hour meeting, Papandreou said Greece
will undertake initiatives to promote Cuba's ties with the European Union.
''We have very good traditional ties with Cuba which we verified in our
talks today,'' Papandreou said.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations and regional issues and Cuba
and Greece are expected to sign more cooperation agreements in the sectors of
tourism, shipping and agriculture in the future, said Papandreou.
On his part, Roque described his talks ''frank and fruitful'' on his first
official visit to Athens.
Roque said he began his current tour in Algeria, and after visiting Greece
he will continue his visit to Turkey, Cyprus and Iran. In Tehran, the Cuban
foreign minister said he will discuss issues related to promoting cooperation
within the G-77.
He said over 133 countries are members of G-77 whose current president in
the UN is the Islamic Republic.
Roque said Greece was one of the 166 countries that have called for the
lifting of US embargo on Cuba.
Asked by a reporter to comment on US-Cuba ties under the administration of
George W Bush, Felipe Roque said Havana's ties with Washington are not expected
to improve. ''I am not optimistic,'' he stressed.
NK/JH
END
::irna 16/01/2001 17:51 | 