Rudd to visit Greece

Rudd backs Greece on the naming of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Fotis Kapetopoulos
While assisting with the clean up of his home town Brisbane, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd spoke exclusively to Neos Kosmos this week.

Mr Rudd will be in Greece next week meeting with his Greek counterpart Dimitris Droutsas as well as the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

They will be discussing a range of issues such as; increasing trade between Greece and Australia, terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, FYROM, Cyprus and the 70 year commemoration of the Battle of Crete.

The former Prime Minister, who will be in Greece next Tuesday, will also be seeking Greece's support for Australia's bid to secure a position on the United Nations Security Council.

"Greece is aware of our desires and intentions, particularly as Australia has a large Greek community here," Mr Rudd said.

When asked what advice he might dispense to Greece's PM George Papandreou on Greece's financial crisis, Mr Rudd said "in the realm of diplomacy, we do not give 'advice' to other governments. I will be listening carefully and will be exploring the many ways we can work together with the government of George Papandreou."

Mr Rudd said Greece is very much part of the European Union and needs to be supported through the hard times.

"I will be saying clearly to the other EU members to stand solidly behind the government of George Papandreou which is currently undertaking a very difficult task of restructuring the economy and steering Greece through such difficult times," he said.

This will be the Minister for Foreign Affairs' first official visit to Greece, though he has been to Greece previously on private travel.

"As Prime Minister I talked to George Papandreou over the phone a number of times and we discussed a range of issues," he said.

With over half a million Greeks in Australia, Mr Rudd emphasised it was "crucial to build on this, in terms of trade opportunities and in other areas which can be expanded".

On the contentious issue of peace in Cyprus Mr Rudd said he was a realist, but like most people wanted "to see a peaceful and democratic society in Cyprus". He also emphasised his commitment to seeing a peaceful resolution.

Australia has had a commitment to the Cyprus issue since the 1970s with an active peace keeping police force there.

"I supported the appointment of Alexander Downer when I was Prime Minister and am keen to hear from him about the situation in Cyprus," Mr Rudd added.

On the issue of FYROM Mr Rudd was adamant that Australia maintains its position on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Australia only officially recognises the title of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as accepted by the UN, not the self-titled, 'Republic of Macedonia'.

He did however add, "but we do appreciate the improved climate in relations between Skopje and Athens".

He went on to say, "there is no doubt that Greece will profit from the experience of Greek Diaspora in the USA, Australia, and globally".

Mr Rudd sees the Greek Diaspora as playing a crucial role in the improvement of bilateral trade between Greece and Australia.

As this year marks the 70 year anniversary of the Battle of Crete, the Foreign Affairs Minister will be developing a range of commemorations highlighting the effort Diggers and Greeks made in fighting the German invasion.

"We will be celebrating and commemorating the great effort Australians and New Zealanders, along with Greeks, played in fighting the invading Germans not only in Crete but in mainland Greece," Mr Rudd said.

While in Athens Mr Rudd will also be giving a talk on the importance of the relationship between Greece and Australia.

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