Greece Will Support India’s UN Security Council Membership Says Foreign Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greece Nikos Kotzias, who is on a four-day visit to India at present has assured to extend full support
to India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Kotzia’s reiterated that Greece fully supports India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council as a "new balance of power" is emerging in the world.
Observing that the world was passing through a difficult time, he said that the forces of fundamentalism and terrorism are trying to destabilise the world.
"India is the second most populous nation. In 10-20 years, or even before, it will be the most populous state. You cannot keep such a nation-state outside the Security Council," the foreign minister added.
FM Kotzias met with EAM (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi yesterday.
As per an MEA (Ministry Of External Affairs) press release, the two ministers held discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties as well as important regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
The discussions focussed on building closer co-operation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, agriculture.
During the visit, Swaraj and Kotzias signed an MOU on the impending air services agreement and understanding on co-operation in the field of new and Renewable energy.
At present, there are no direct flights between India and Greece and Athens can be reached via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Doha, Bahrain, Amman and several cities in Europe.
The air services agreement will allow Indian airlines to operate to and from Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion. Similarly, the Greek airlines will also be able to launch flight services to major Indian cities.
India and Greece are keen to increase their commercial and investment contracts. Greece looks for Indian investments in their program of privatization of public assets. Indian infrastructure company, GMR Group has tendered a bid for upgradation and management of Heraklion airport at Crete Island.
The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries for 2015-16 was US $ 445.23 million. Although the volume of bilateral trade has gradually declined, primarily due to the economic recession faced by Greece. The country has been dependent on bailout packages to deal with its borrowing needs since 2011.
