Rapproachment with Israel in Coordination with Arab World, says Greek Minister tagged: , ,

Rapproachment with Israel in Coordination with Arab World, says Greek Minister

Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Israel-GR, Politics

Greek-Israeli rapprochement is not in conflict with the Arab world ,  said Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas in an interview to radio station Flash 96.

In a move to reassure that good relations with the Arab world will not get any harm and the country is not changing course, Greece said that approach with Israel has been done in coordination with the Arab world.

“This gesture of rapprochement with Israel has been assessed and all these moves have been made and in coordination with all our friends from the Arab world, ” said Droutsas.

Expressing hope for opening of direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians in the coming days and weeks  Dimitris Droutsas talked about  Greece’s active role in  in the Middle East Peace process.  He said that Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, who also holds the office of Foreign Minister, is “continuing  telephone contacts with leaders  from the Arab world and further afield in order to coordinated some things; to brief people, to hear views, so that Greece’s participation in this peace process can be substantial”.

 And continued saying  that “there really is a broad range of substantial contacts – particularly with the Arab world. That is why we are saying that our approaching Israel is not in conflict with the traditionally excellent relations of trust – a key word – and credibility that Greece has with the Arab world”.

 The cooling of Turkish-Israeli relations is not the reason for approaching Israel,  said Droutsas, adding that  “Greece makes use of every opportunity that presents itself in its foreign policy. This must be clear”.

Evaluating Netanyahu’s visit to Athens as “very successful” Dimitris  Droutsas said  that bilateral discussions had focused on economic and military cooperation and  reiterated the importance of Israeli tourists to the Greek economy.

Read the whole interview in English here