The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, participated in the meeting the Prime Minister Mr. Antonis Samaras had with the former President of the United States Mr. Bill Clinton and Greek-American businessmen in the official seat of the Prime Minister (Maximos Mansion).

Mr. Panagiotopoulos, coming out of Maximos Mansion, made the following statement:

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: It was a meeting which was completely successful. I think that the expectations are understandably numerous and, in fact, they are more than expectations. I believe that it is the beginning of a procedure which will advance quickly; this is why we have met here, so as to assist the Prime Minister to take things a step further, to pass swiftly from words to action.

JOURNALIST: The businessmen you met believe that there is interest expressed for Greece, that it is a country of new opportunities for them?

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: What I will tell you is that the general feeling I collected is positive. I believe that gradually it will become obvious that the mind-set is changing; it is important that Greece’s international image will change and that everybody understands that it is a safe country for someone to invest in or implement ideas in the field of economy, in order for the entire endeavour to come off in favour of Hellenic economy and, most importantly, in favour of the Hellenic people who has experienced many difficulties during the past years.