Press Availability After Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyiannis Athens, Greece

January 7, 2009

QUESTION: Ambassador, are you concerned about the Turkish violations in the Aegean?

AMBASSADOR SPECKHARD:  What I wanted to just say to you, having a first chance to say it:  Happy New Year, Χρόνια Πολλά to everybody in Greece. 

I came to the Ministry to pay my respects to the Minister [Bakoyiannis] in her new role as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE and to tell her that the United States will be doing all we can to support her in that important role and to support that important institution in the coming year.  And to hear from her, her agenda as Chairman-in-Office, and to consult with her on important issues in the diplomatic process, which is part of my normal diplomatic function here.

I don’t want to get into today to a press conference or any kind of discussion on the specific issues discussed. I’m sure her office will give you more information on the contents of the meeting.

But I can say it was very helpful for me to hear from her, her ideas, her thoughts, and her agenda, and that the United States and Greece continue to share good, warm, and strong relationship as we start the New Year, so happy New Year to everybody.  Χρόνια Πολλά.