HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomes Karamanlis to Number 10 [October 2008]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 21 October 2008.
Gordon Brown welcomed Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis to Downing Street today for bilateral talks.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues including the global financial crisis, ongoing negotiations for a Cyprus settlement and the Balkans. The PM welcomed Dr Karamanlis’ intervention in the Greek banking system as part of a European-wide effort to “restore confidence” in the EU financial system.
Mr Brown said the UK and Greece also supported EU membership for countries such as Turkey where membership criteria are met.
The PM said:
“Greece is one of Britain’s important European partners. Not only do we have a long history of friendship through difficult times, but we also work together on many of today’s international issues.
“I applaud Dr Karamanlis’ intervention in the Greek banking system as contributing to the European-wide effort to restore confidence in the EU financial system. We have also discussed the need for long-term reform in addition to short-term measures to re-stabilise the Global Economy.
“Dr Karamanlis and I both strongly support the efforts to achieve a just and lasting Cyprus settlement. And we both agree with the importance of encouraging countries in South Eastern Europe, including Turkey, to join the European Union when they can meet the membership criteria.”
