NEW YORK (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)
Prime Minister and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou is in New York to chair a two-day SI Council taking place at the UN headquarters, while he will also meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday afternoon (NY time).

Speaking to journalists from the Greek American media and correspondents of the Greek media on Sunday night (Greek time) and before an SI working dinner, Papandreou said that prospects for Greece were positive, noting that "the hard work and the sufferings of our people bare fruit. We already have the first indications. When Greece wants, it can achieve its targets."

The prime minister also referred extensively to issues pertaining to relations between the Greek American community and Greece, to his government's policies regarding Greek expatriates, to the current economic crisis and foreign policy issues.
Responding to relevant questions, Papandreou said that the crisis could offer a unique opportunity to change Greece, adding that his government has started talks with overseas businessmen and scientific experts for them to contribute towards Greece's development.

On the sidelines of the Council sessions on Monday, the Greek premier is scheduled to meet a number of foreign heads of state and government taking part in the Council meeting, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday (midnight Greek time). The meeting with the UN chief will also be attended by Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and Greece's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Anastasis Mitsialis.
The Greek premier is to chair the third session of the SI Council on Tuesday morning before departing for Athens.
The Council agenda will focus on the key issues and priorities of the SI movement in regard to the global economy, as well as the continuation of the debate on Climate Change in advance of the COP16, and recent developments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation.

Source: Athens News Agency

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