FM promotes Mideast ties

Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis on Friday concluded a three-stop visit to countries in the Middle East that, according to diplomatic sources, was aimed at boosting Greece?s diplomatic and business influence in the region.

Speaking after talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Adnan Mansour, Lambrinidis claimed to be visiting Lebanon ?not only as the Greek foreign minister but also as a foreign minister of the European Union, with the aim of conveying to my counterparts the huge significance of a potentially beneficial relationship between Lebanon and the EU.? Lambrinidis, who was accompanied by a delegation of diplomats and businessmen on his visit, also expressed hope for the speedy creation of a Palestinian state.

Earlier in the week Lambrinidis met with his counterparts in Egypt and Jordan. Egypt said it would honor a pact with Cyprus delineating an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries — a deal seen as crucial for Nicosia?s exploration for oil and gas that has irked Turkey.