FM Kotzias at the ASEM Summit in Mongolia

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias today met with Dr. Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Singapore, within the framework of the proceedings of the ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

During the meeting, they ascertained the shared will for further promotion of bilateral relations. Mr. Kotzias referred to the historic cultural ties between the two countries and expressed Greece’s intention to proceed to the opening of an Embassy in Singapore at the soonest possible time.

The two ministers also discussed international and regional issues of mutual interest, as well as investment issues. Mr. Kotzias briefed his colleague on the emergence of Piraeus as a port of pivotal importance for the Mediterranean and Europe, and expressed Greece’s interest in attracting investments from Singapore in the technology and finance sectors. Finally, the two Foreign Minister’s agreed on the need to cultivate bilateral cultural and academic exchanges, which, among other things, will be discussed during Mr. Kotzias’ visit to Singapore this coming November.

Foreign Minister Kotzias also met with the Foreign Minister of Norway, Børge Brende. The two ministers discussed issues of international and regional interest, with emphasis on the future of Europe, as well as on the Syria issue and its repercussions for the security of the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Minister Kotzias also had the opportunity to set out Greece’s positions on the resolution of the Cyprus issue, which, as he explained, cannot be resolved without the departure of the occupation troops and the elimination of the anachronistic system of guarantees.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Dr. Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Singapore]