The Cyprus question was among issues discussed on Friday during a meeting between Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos and US Secretary of State John Kerry, at the State Department.
Speaking before the meeting, Kerry congratulated Greece on assuming the EU Presidency, adding that “we look forward very much to working with them in that role, but also in continuing the path towards economic recovery.”
Venizelos noted that the main Greek national problem is the financial crisis and national reconstruction, adding that Greece is always a factor of stability for its area.
In his remarks, Kerry referred to the financial crisis in Greece, noting that “tough decisions had to be made” and that “it is never easy politically.”
“Those choices were made, and I think it is improving. And step by step, we want to continue to not only work on that, but on our superb cooperation with respect to counterterrorism, the Balkans, the Middle East. There are a host of issues where we share common interests,” he said.
Venizelos referred to the Greek EU Presidency, noting that it is “a great opportunity for Greece to show the face of an ordinary European country, of a country beyond the crisis,” adding that, “without doubt the main Greek national problem is the crisis and the national reconstruction after this very tough experience of the recession and of the unemployment.”
“But on the field of the foreign and security policy, Greece is always a factor of stability for our area, for the Western Balkan, for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. And on this basis we serve the same values, the same views, and we have the possibility to organise our further cooperation as friends and allies,” he noted.
Earlier on, Venizelos met with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, whom he briefed on the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency, as well as the Greek economy and its prospects.