Martin Klus: Closeness of views on numerous current issues and strong alliance in the EU and NATO as prerequisite of further strengthening of the Slovak-Greek cooperation

On Wednesday, 24 August 2022, the State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Martin Klus, held talks on current issues with the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, and the Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament and Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs, Nikitas Kaklamanis during his working visit to Athens.

"Greece is one of our key partners in the region. We are also connected through our membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We are open to further promote our cooperation with tangible results and benefits for the citizens of both countries," noted the State Secretary Klus.

The partners appreciated recent boost in mutual relations. In his discussions with Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the State Secretary also discussed the Russian military aggression in Ukraine, along with energy crisis and necessity to diversify sources of raw materials, the future of Europe, current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, relations with Turkey and the EU enlargement process focusing on the Western Balkan countries, which is a foreign policy priority for both Slovakia and Greece.

"EU enlargement is the best tool to keep peace and stability in our immediate neighbourhood but also great investment into the security and future prosperity of the whole EU," added Martin Klus.

State Secretary also discussed the current challenges of the European politics with Ambassador Anna-Maria Eleni Boura, Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

At Crete, the State Secretary presented the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic based in Chania, Stavros Paterakis, with the Silver Plaque of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic for his significant contribution to the fulfilment of the Slovak foreign policy objectives and spreading the good name of Slovakia.

"In recent years, Greece has been one of the top destinations for Slovak tourists. I am glad that waning COVID-19 pandemics allows us to restart various specific projects, either in the field of tourism, cultural diplomacy or business. Such cooperation and enhancement of tourism would surely benefit from opening direct flights between, say, Crete and Slovakia," noted Martin Klus at this occasion.

During his visit to Crete, Martin Klus also met with the Mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis, discussing trade and cultural cooperation.