18 July, 2011
 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a two-day visit to Athens July 17-18 had a series of meetings with the Greek leadership. "Greece and the United States are bound together by far more than our shared challenges. We are bound together by our shared values" Clinton said during a press conference with Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis. Clinton also appreciated Greece’s partnership on a wide-ranging agenda including issues concerning North Africa, the Middle East and Libya situation.
In the field of economy, the U.S Secretary of State said that "the United States strongly supports the Papandreou government's determination to make the necessary reforms to put Greece back on a sound financial footing and to make Greece more competitive economically."
On his part, Lambrinidis said that "friends prove themselves in difficult times and, as we know, Greece is going through a difficult time,” adding that the US has stood by us in a decisive manner." The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the Cyprus issue, Greece's relations with Turkey, as well as the Western Balkans and the Greek initiative "Agenda 2014."
After her meeting with Lambrinidis, Clinton attended a working dinner with Prime Minister George Papandreou at the Maximos Mansion. The U.S Secretary of State also held meetings with Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos. Today, Clinton will meet with main opposition leader Antonis Samaras.
- Greece, US Sign Agreement on Protection of Antiquities
- Clinton Visits Ecumenical Patriarch
On July 16, prior to her arrival in Athens, Secretary Clinton was in Istanbul, where she visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate and met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Her meeting with the Patriarch was also attended by the Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios, who greeted her upon arrival. Talks focused on issues of concern to the Patriarchate, including that of reopening the Holy Theological School of Halki. Source: ANA-MPE
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