The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos met at the State Department with the Assistant Secretary of State Ms. Victoria Nuland.  

After their meeting, the Minister made the following statement:

“I met with the Assistant Secretary Ms Nuland, with whom I had a very productive discussion on matters pertaining to our bilateral relations, NATO and the financial crisis in Greece. I briefed her on the latest developments concerning the Prime Minister’s talks with the European Union, the European Commission and the ECB, and I asked once more for the United States to intervene to the IMF so as to proceed and conclude the solution to the talks which, as the Prime Minister informed me, go rather well.

We discussed matters relative with NATO and the latest developments in the expansion of ISIS and terrorism in the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, as well as the importance of Greece, and we agreed on common action by Greece, the USA and NATO with countries which are willing to help fight terrorism. We agreed to prepare the next NATO Summit which will take place next month in Brussels.

We also discussed on the developments in the Cyprus issue and I repeated the Greek Government’s position, as it was expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kotzias, that the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the region is a prerequisite.

Issues that were also clarified were the United States’ military help towards Greece, in relation to the existing means, as well as the issue of the means Greece needs so as to enhance its role in the broader region of the South-Eastern Mediterranean and  Greece’s cooperation with Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt and the moderate Middle-Eastern countries.

I would like to say that it is clear that the United States, during this difficult negotiation, will help us once more, as President Obama said at public statements. The fact that the Alliance realises that the ISIS issue develops and the stabilisation of Greece should be achieved with all means, is very important. I believe that this will soon lead to positive developments”.  

JOURNALIST: Did Ms Nuland raise the issue of domestic terrorism?

P. KAMMENOS: No, the issue of domestic terrorism was not raised. The United States know that this issue is successfully dealt with in Greece, by common action; no such issue exists.

JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, was the issue of Russia, the sanctions and Greece’s compliance with the rest allies brought forward?

P. KAMMENOS: We discussed the issue of Russia, as well as the procedures at the currently ongoing talks in Minsk. We expressed the view that, for everybody’s benefit, the existing dialogue should lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. It is clear that Greece’s relations with all countries are transparent and public. As far as energy issues are concerned, the U.S. expressed interest, something that could be a very important precondition for the resurgence of Greek economy.

Thank you very much.