Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis and Berisha discuss bilateral ties, Greek minority

[01] Karamanlis and Berisha discuss bilateral ties, Greek minority

In statements afterward, Karamanlis said the meeting had been interesting and constructive and had helped foster better understanding of the positions of both countries on various issues.

"The prospects for our relations are great and I am satisfied, because today we confirmed our will to make further use of these possibilities," he told reporters.

The Greek premier said that there had been significant progress in trade and economic ties, military and police cooperation between the two countries, while he emphasised the signature of an agreement on energy issues between Greece and Albania during Berisha's visit.

In addition to the problems of the Greek minority in southern Albania, the two men also discussed problems faced by Albanian immigrants in Greece and those of Greek businesses operating in Albania.

Karamanlis emphasised that Greece supports Albania's course toward EuroAtlantic structures, to which it attaches great importance:

"We are ready to assist our neighbouring country in the effort to carry out the necessary reforms and commitments to the EU it has undertaken," he stressed.

Discussion during the dinner between the two premiers focused on regional and international issues, such as that of Kosovo, which Karamanlis described as important for peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

On his part, Berisha thanked Greece for its support of Albania's efforts to "realise its European vision" and for the Greece's contribution from the 1990s until the present day to Albania's efforts to become a democracy based on a market economy and to join the EU and NATO.

The Albanian premier stressed that the meeting had been marked by a spirit of understanding and determination to further promote relations in economic cooperation, military cooperation, education and culture and cooperation between legislative and executive organs.

Regarding the bilateral agreement for energy signed on Wednesday, Berisha stressed its importance and also emphasised the efforts being made by the Albanian government to create a favourable climate for Greek businesses.

Pointing out that Greek investments currently occupy top place among foreign investors in Albania and represent a sum of �400 million, he stressed that he would make every effort to multiply both Greek investors and the size of Greek investments in his country.

During his meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias earlier on Wednesday, Berisha noted a proposal by the Greek president for a rail connection between the two countries and congratulated the president on this idea.

He said the issue had also been discussed during his talks with Karamanlis and would be seriously considered by the Albanian government.

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