Greece's FM Kotzias urges 'positive agenda' at EU-Arab League ministerial

He also noted the need for independence and territorial integrity for Iraq and Syria, noting that these were "two wars that must," while referring to the need for support to the National Government of Libya and the demands of all forces in the Libyan arena for inclusion.
Talking to reporters afterward, Kotzias especially emphasised the need for a discussion focused on a positive agenda, in accordance with the "Rhodes spirit." He referred to a need to establish networks of cooperation between countries in the broader region of the Middle East and North Africa, in the social and cultural arena, in education and in research "that were able to give a much stronger impetus to a policy of stability and security in the region than the announcements and statements we are constantly making had hearing between us."
"In this positive agenda there must be developed systems of cooperation, social subjects in the areas of education, research, economy, culture, with the organisation of friendship and culture weeks between the states in the region," he said, adding that the Greek initiative for the "Rhodes Conference" will be repeated in May.
On the sidelines of the ministerial, Kotzias met his Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui, the chairman of the Arab League, Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Iraq's Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Kareem Hamza Al-Eshaiker Al-Jaafari. Agreements were made for cooperation between the foreign ministries, the prospects for developing ministerial cooperation and using Greece's experience within the EU.