Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in New York on Tuesday for a discussion on Greece’s debt and the Cyprus issue.
During the meeting, Tsipras noted that a Cyprus solution is a step in the direction of stability in the wider region. Athens maintains that the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from the island is a condition for a solution.
Athens asserts that a discussion on debt relief is continuing and the second review of the Greek program should be accompanied with a plan for debt relief. He reiterated this belief earlier in the day during his speech at the Concordia Summit in New York.
On the Greek debt, the U.S. Vice President said that they are watching closely the developments regarding the International Monetary Fund’s participation in Greece’s bailout program. He added that stability in Greece is linked to the overall stability in Europe. At the same time, Biden praised Greece’s handling of the refugee issue.
According to government sources, the two officials agreed that there should be an open channel of communication between the Greek prime minister and the U.S. Vice President on the developments of the issues discussed.
Earlier, Tsipras had met with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who is also in New York and who briefed him on the progress of talks to solve the Cyprus problem.
Tsipras is also scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of his visit for talks on Brexit and the prospects of Greeks currently working and studying in Britain.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
