NEW YORK CITY (ANA-MPA)
“There is no shadow cast over our relations with the United States. However, this does not mean that we are pleased with the current level of our relations,” Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas stressed in an interview published here by the NYC-based Greek-American daily “National Herald” (“Ethnikos Kirix”).

Droutsas pointed out that “it is my belief that there are broader fields of cooperation and more room for substantive progress in our relations.”
On the occasion of his first official visit to the United States since his appointment, Droutsas also referred to the role of the vigorous Greek-American community in the bilateral relations.
“We are a new government and this visit is a good opportunity to present our thoughts and perspective vis-à-vis the major issues that concern our region,” he added.

Responding to a question on the voting rights of the Greeks living abroad, he pointed out:
“The voting rights of the Greeks abroad constitute a clear-cut intention and a crucial challenge for all of us. The specific issue is of pivotal importance for our government. A new legal framework is already being processed by the interior ministry and I hope that soon it will be presented for public consultation -- a groundbreaking method of democratic participation for Greece implemented by the new government.
"We should keep in mind that political consensus in Greece is necessary in order to be able to forge ahead. I hope that all sides will rise to the occasion and reciprocate to the demand expressed by Hellenism worldwide. It is very useful and important to us as a government to listen to the direct voice of our compatriots; listen to their experiences and have them incorporated into the definitive text of the draft law that will be tabled in parliament.”      

Responding to a question on whether the fYRoM "name issue" and the Greek-Turkish relations constitute a “thorn” in the ties between Greece and the United States, Droutsas stated:
“We have a tradition of friendship and cooperation with the United States. Our shared values constitute a strong basis on which to build excellent cooperation relations. I think that what’s most important is the common will that exists at this moment of time, to have them promoted further. Therefore, any exchange of views can only serve as fertile ground for our relations. As regards the fYRoM name issue, the decision of the previous US administration to recognise the so-called constitutional name of the neighboring country has certainly further perplexed things and made a solution more distant.
"We have directly indicated this to the United States; Greece’s position is clear: We seek a name with a geographic qualifier to be used for all purposes, erga omnes. We believe that the United States can play a constructive role in this effort and for this reason it is important for them to have a clear view of the Greek positions.” 

Source: Athens News Agency

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