Speaking in New York, where he arrived on Friday coming from Washington, where he had met with his US counterpart Hillary Clinton, Lambrinidis referred to the importance of the agreement in Brussels, underlining that a new page is being turned, because it gives Greece a hope for rescue, for the euro and for Europe and shows that the issue is not only Greek but European as well.

 

Replying to a relevant question, he spoke of the reactions of Greek citizens, underlining the "great sacrifices" with regard to salary cutbacks and the implementation of other measures that have caused "great pain."

 

Lambrinidis added that the Greek people see that there is solidarity from our European partners and that these sacrifices will not be in vain.

 

Lambrinidis met in New York on Friday with members of the Greek American community and Matthew Nimetz, the UN secretary general's personal envoy in the negotiations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Fyrom).

 

No statements were made afterwards.

 

The foreign minister also had a meeting on Saturday with Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias in light of the start on Sunday of bilateral negotiations on the Cyprus issue at Long Island in New York. (AMNA)