Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington D.C. on Monday where he discussed “Turkish nervousness” and Greece’s position on the importance of security and stability in the Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Kotzias was also scheduled for meetings with National Security Advisor Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster, representatives of the U.S. administration, members of Congress, representatives of the academic community, and Greek-American organizations.
Concerning his meeting with Tillerson, Kotzias noted that the US Secretary of State wanted Greek government’s analysis on how there can be stability and security in the region but clarified that Cyprus and Macedonia issues were not discussed.
The two sides also discussed ongoing energy projects in Greece with Kotzias noting the importance Greeks place in turning the country into a regional energy hub. He then mentioned other infrastructure projects such as roads and railway networks.
‘’ I explained the energy projects that exist in the region. I think he knows them better than I do, but I referred to how we see them and the importance to Greeks of Greece's developing into a transport hub for various forms of energy. At the same time, I referred to other projects as well, such as the creation of road and rail networks, networks of stability in the region. The networks of energy, of railways, of cooperation between universities and research centres. I explained that, first of all, we need networks of stability, and then generation of economic gains for us,’’ added Kotzias.
Kotzias noted that discussions also included the instability in Greece’s northern neighbours and Greece’s efforts to stabilize them with the Cyprus issue to be discussed in a later meeting with National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster.
When asked to comment on what is happening in Europe after recent inflammatory remarks from Turkish President against Holland, Kotzias said ‘’ Turkey is trying to export its restlessness to third countries’’.
