Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras and Iranian VP Jahangiri confirm intention to upgrade cooperation between the countries

[02] Hotspots almost ready, says Alt. Defence Minister Vitsas

[03] New Democracy leader Mitsotakis visits Lesvos

[04] Alternate FM Xydakis pays three-day visit to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

[05] Tempi Valley open from 15:00 to 21:00 on Monday

[06] PM Tsipras meets first Iranian Vice President Jahangiri; signs agreements

[01] PM Tsipras and Iranian VP Jahangiri confirm intention to upgrade cooperation between the countries

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier signed a series of agreements aiming at upgrading the two countries' diplomatic relations.

These agreements provide for:

1. A memorandum for political deliberations

2. An agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passports

3. A roadmap for the improvement of bilateral cooperation

The two leaders stressed the importance of combating violence and extremism, dealing with the Islamic state and strengthening cooperation with the view to safeguard the stability in a sensitive area of the world.

Jahangiri pointed out that the visit of the Greek prime minister constitutes a milestone for the bilateral relations of the two countries and referred to the decisions taken aiming at strengthening cooperation in the economic sector.

Tsipras said that his contact with the first vice president of Iran opens new grounds for cooperation. "We are two peoples who know how to fight for their independence and dignity," the prime minister said and referred to a strategic upgrading of their bilateral relations.

Their common goal, Tsipras noted, is the fact that both countries come out of a long crisis and new possibilities open for the return to growth with mutually beneficial results.

The prime minister also referred to the refugee issue saying that the crisis in Syria has an impact on Greece due to refugee flows, adding that we must all contribute so that stability is restored and the Islamic state is dealt with efficiently. To this direction, Iran can play a role, Tsipras added.

According to sources, the Iranian vice president stressed the importance of making up for lost time in the two countries' relations. On his part, Tsipras outlined Iran's role in the region and stressed his determination on the development of high level bilateral relations. He also spoke of the geopolitical importance of Greece-Iran's cooperation.

The leaders expressed their content over the cooperation in the energy sector, while the Greek Prime Minister said that due to the embargo, bilateral trade fell below 30 million euros in 2015, thus suggesting that there is much room for development and cooperation. He also proposed to organize joint economic committees in order to explore other areas of cooperation and overcome more quickly any obstacles.

The two delegations discussed a range of technical issues in order to facilitate cooperation on the financial sector, the field of medicine and health in general, culture and education, infrastructure, transport and the construction industry.

[02] Hotspots almost ready, says Alt. Defence Minister Vitsas

"I am deeply sorry when the fear prevails in the mind and the people's actions," he said speaking to private TV Mega on Monday.

Vitsas said that the aim is migrants and refugees "have a place to stay and eat for up to 48 hours after the identification and then to be transferred."

[03] New Democracy leader Mitsotakis visits Lesvos

Mitsotakis' visit to Lesvos is held within the framework of a series of initiatives on the refugees issues.

Moreover, ND leader will participate in a broad meeting that will be held at the Northern Aegean region headquarters.

[04] Alternate FM Xydakis pays three-day visit to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

On Monday, Xydakis will visit Vienna, where he will meet with Austrian Foreign Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner and the Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Dr. Michael Linhart.

On Tuesday, Xydakis will leave for Bratislava, where he will meet with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák and the Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ivan Korčok.

Xydakis will complete his tour on Wednesday, in Budapest, where he will meet with Hungary's Foreign Minister Sándor Pintér, Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs Takács Szabolcs Ferenc, and Economic Diplomacy Minister Levente Magyar.

Xydakis' aim is to brief his colleagues on Greece's positions and explain that Greece is guarding its borders, which are also Europe's borders, together with the European organization Frontex adding that Greece does not sink boats carrying refugees because this would be a flagrant violation of European values and of the international law.

The minister will highlight Greece's contribution to the refugee issue (escuing, in collaboration with Frontex of over 105,000 persons) and will ask for the implementation of the European Council's recent decisions on the joint handling of this historic crisis, with proportionality and solidarity. He will also ask for further material and moral assistance from the European partners; assistance that contrasts with any thought of suspending the Schengen Agreement, closing borders or hanging a new iron curtain, which would greatly jeopardize the historic endeavour of the European Union.

[05] Tempi Valley open from 15:00 to 21:00 on Monday

The Valley will remain open until 21:00 and afterwards farmers will block the road again with their tractors for 24 hours.

[06] PM Tsipras meets first Iranian Vice President Jahangiri; signs agreements

After the talks, a series of agreements will be signed and a press conference will follow. The agreements to be signed are:

1. A memorandum for political consultations.

Better dialogue on bilateral and international issues of common interest.

2. An agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passports.

3. A roadmap for the improvement of bilateral cooperation.

Intensification of bilateral contacts for cooperation in all sectors.

General information

Areas of cooperation:

a. Trade: Great potential for strengthening bilateral contacts.

Greek areas of interest: processed food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, cosmetics, agriculture equipment, building materials and construction equipment, chemical, software, development of retail chains, restaurant chains.

b. Services: Construction, maritime transport (oil, petrochemicals), refining Iranian oil in Greek refineries, medical services in Greece, tourist flow from Iran to Greece, real estate services (interest in Greece's real estate market) road transport (Greek trucks crossing Iranian territory)

c. Agricultural sector: Aquaculture.

d. Energy: Oil (procurement, processing and storage in Greece).

Natural Gas: Transportation of liquefied natural gas via Greece

Renewable energy sources - photovoltaics.

e. High Tech: Environmental management, water resources management

f. Areas of Iranian investment interest (there are several funds in Iran looking for investments):

Real estate sector, Tourism, Pharmaceutical

g. Culture:

Cultural, cultural exchanges.

h. Mutual support and strengthening cooperation in bilateral institutions

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