Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos had the opportunity to brief media correspondents on his extensive diplomatic contacts and meetings over the past ten days.

He referred to his trip to Paris and the contacts he had with French Foreign Minister Fabius and Finance Minister Moscovici, and to the fruitful discussion he had with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Senate.

Then he briefed the correspondents on his trip to Washington, where he met with Secretary of State John Kerry with whom he talked about bilateral and international issues. Mr. Venizelos briefed Mr. Kerry on the priorities of the Hellenic Presidency and on the most important Greek national issues, such as the Cyprus issue, relations with Turkey, and the situation with the name issue. They also discussed the issue of terrorism.

While in Washington, Mr. Venizelos also met with Treasury Secretary Lew, with whom he talked about issues concerning the sustainability of the Greek debt, the role of the troika, and the participation of the IMF in the Greek programme.

Mr. Venizelos also briefed journalists on his meetings with the heads of the Senate and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committees, Senator Royce and Representative Menendez, respectively. And, finally, he had the opportunity to meet with the most important Washington-based think tanks.

Mr. Venizelos then briefed the correspondents on the discussions at the 20 January EU Foreign Affairs Council, where the Foreign Ministers of the member states discussed the issues of Syria, Iran, the issue of the deployment of EU forces to the Central African Republic, and the issue of Egypt and the preparations for the Geneva II Conference on Syria.

In Brussels, he briefed the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament on the results of and discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council, as well as on the priorities of the Hellenic Presidency.

He also talked to the journalists about the historical importance of the first EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference.

He then referred to the UN Secretary General's invitation to participate in the Geneva II Conference in Montreux. There, Greece encouraged the two sides - the opposition and the government - two start negotiations aimed at reaching an end of the conflict.

Mr. Venizelos also briefed the journalists on the contacts he had with Secretary of State Kerry as well as Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, with whom he talked about the Sochi Olympics and the idea of an Olympic Truce. And he briefed the journalists on Greece's proposal for the adoption of confidence-building measures aimed at helping civilians, women, third parties in Syria.

Following his introduction, he had the opportunity to respond to journalists' questions on the following issues:

Western Balkans

Mr. Venizelos announced that very soon, in his capacity as President of the Council of the European Union, he intends to organize a tour of the capitals of the Western Balkan countries: Belgrade, Podgorica, Tirana, Pristina and Sarajevo and Skopje.

Regarding Serbia, he reiterated the importance of the first EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference and the historic decision to open Serbia's accession negotiations with the EU, which he called an important, positive step for the European perspective of Serbia and the whole region, including Kosovo.

Regarding Albania, he noted that he is in close contact with the country's leadership - the Prime Minister, the Vice President and the Foreign Minister - adding that there is a continuous dialogue between Greece and Albania, and that he intends to go to Tirana, within the framework of his tour of the Balkans, to continue the bilateral talks and discussions on EU-Albanian relations.

Syria

Responding to journalists' question, he said that Greece has historical ties with Syria and has an interest in the pacification of the country and in the country's Christian populations. He referred to the confidence-building measures that Greece proposed in Montreux, noting that Greece is willing to do whatever it can to promote peace in the country.

With regard to Syria's chemical weapons, Mr. Venizelos stressed that the destruction of these weapons will not take place in the Mediterranean Sea. He briefed the journalists on the meetings he had on this issue and on the reassurances the Greek side has received: that no chemical substances will be spilled in the Mediterranean.

Central African Republic

Mr. Venizelos reiterated that Greece, having received a relevant request from its European partners, will provide the Larissa headquarters for the military training and preparation of an European mission who is to participate, on an ad hoc basis, in the operations in the Central African Republic. He made it very clear that no Greek soldiers will be participating in these operations, and that there is no other involvement of the country in this issue. He stressed that there is a common EU position, a decision of the Council, and that Greece is cooperating with France, which has a leading position on this issue.

Ukraine/Eastern Partnership

Regarding the issue of Ukraine, Mr. Venizelos reiterated the appeal he made two days ago regarding the need for self-restraint in Ukraine, noting that there needs to be abstention from all kinds of violence. He also stated that the Hellenic Presidency is prepared to implement the Vilnius decisions taken last November.

Mr. Venizelos pointed out that the Eastern Partnership should not be posed as a dilemma between Russia and the EU for all the countries interested in participating in the partnership.

EU-Russian relations

Responding to journalists' questions regarding EU-Russian relations, he noted the need to continue the dialogue and the cooperation between the two sides, stressing in particular that Greece, which receives many Russian tourists annually, is willing to be constructive on the issue of visa liberalization for Russia.

Iran

Mr. Venizelos reiterated his satisfaction at the progress made between Iran and the P5+1 concerning the implementation of the agreement, noting that it is substantial and sincere dialogue that will lead to the settlement of this issue, which is an issue of international security. He added that he hopes that the pragmatism exhibited by Iran will continue, so that a mutually acceptable, comprehensive and definitive resolution can be achieved.

Turkey

Asked about recent events in Turkey, Mr. Venizelos stated that an economically, politically, institutionally and socially stable Turkey is to everyone's benefit, and that what Greece does not want to see is the exportation of any internal instability into the Aegean or Eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Venizelos reiterated the need for a viable and just solution based on the UN Resolutions and the European acquis, noting that it is very important for the two sides to reach an agreement on the joint communique, because it is vital to agree on the basic principles of solutions of issues such as sovereignty. He also stressed that it is preferable to deal with these issues now rather than later, and he also noted that he had had the opportunity to discuss all of these issues in Brussels with Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides.

Farmakonisi

Asked about the issue of the refugees in Farmakonisi, he said that there are differing accounts from the authorities and refugees, and that it is important to have an independent inquiry into what has happened, so that there can be no question as to the actual events on the ground. Greece is in a very difficult position, he stressed, trying to protect its borders while at the same time respecting the humanitarian rights and hardships of the refugees. That is one of the reasons Migration and Border Management is a top priority of the Hellenic Presidency.

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