US official's talks in Athens

    Visiting US new Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, had separate meetings in Athens on Wednesday with foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis and deputy minister Yannis Valynakis, at the US diplomat's request.

    Kaidanow paid a protocol visit to foreign minister Bakoyannis, and no statements were made after the meeting.

    During his meeting earlier with Kaidanow, Valynakis was critical of Turkey's behavior in the Aegean, warning that Ankara's provocations will not be without consequence.

    Recently, efforts have been made by "certain quarters" to create tension in the region, Valynakis said in statements after the meeting and, citing the Greek adage that "good accounts make for good friends", warned that "when the account is inflated by violations (of Greek national airspace), overflights (of Greek islands in the Aegean) and buzzings, it is only natural that all those cannot be left without consequence".

    "It is self-evident that the principles and values of the EU must be respected in our region, that active application of the principles of good neighborhood is required, and it is only on the basis of these principles that we can move forward," Valynakis explained.

    The talks with Kaidanow, who recently succeeded Matthew Bryza to the post, focused on Greek-US bilateral relations, developments in the region of SE Europe, the Cyprus issue and international developments.

    "We had the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations between Greek and the US, this strategic relationship, which is at an excellent level in the economic, political and military sectors," Valynakis said, and noted the role of the Greek community in the US as a "bridge in the relations between the two peoples".

    Valynakis further briefed Kaidanow on Greece's positions on issues concerning the region, reiterating that Greece "supports the European prospect of the Western Balkans and Turkey, on condition that those countries respect and abide by the specific criteria and prerequisites set out by the EU".

    "Only full compliance will lead to their full accession to the EU," he stressed.

    On the Cyprus issue, Valinakis stressed that Turkey has assumed specific commitments to the EU regarding Cyprus "which Ankara must fulfill", adding that a Cyprus solution can only be one founded on the UN resolutions and the principles and values of the EU, and one freely arising from dialogue between the two sides.

   

   

   

   

   

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