SPEECH BY H.E. MR CONSTANTINOS SIMITIS, PRIME MINISTER OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC DURING LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA, H.E. PROF. GUIDO DE MARCO, AT SAN ANTON PALACE

Excellency,

I would like to express my great pleasure for being in your country and at the same time to thank you for the cordial welcome you extended to me, my wife and the members of the Greek Delegation, as well as for your warm words about my country.

During the short period of our stay here, we were most favorably impressed by your country and your people, with which Greece has traditional ties.

Our bilateral relations, Mr President, are developing in a harmonious way, in all fields. The signing of the two Agreements yesterday is another proof of our close cooperation.

Mr President,

Malta's accession to the EU will significantly enhance our relations. Greece has always supported the perspective of your country's accession because we believe that Malta, due to its long European traditions, can contribute to the building of our Union, but also because it is essential for the European Union to expand towards the South as well. Furthermore, the interest of our two countries in stability in the Mediterranean region to which they belong, and their active and constructive cooperation in all relevant fora, gives an additional dimension to our bilateral relations.

Finally, Mr President, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of your country's longstanding interest and firm support of a comprehensive, just and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue, based on the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Mr President,

I am certain that my visit to your country will further deepen our friendly relations. The talks we had today were particularly interesting and fruitful and will further reinforce our cooperation.

With these thoughts permit me to raise my glass and wish to you and Mrs De Marco health and happiness and to the friendly Maltese people progress and prosperity.