Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS1361
2007-07-03 13:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE: BSEC DEMARCHE DELIVERED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0017 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #1361 1841353 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 031353Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9624 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 4800 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 0137 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0738 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0950 RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 0513 RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY 0224 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 0019 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0883 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 1544 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0380 RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 1240 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 0121 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 1913 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS ATHENS 001361
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PREL KCRM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: BSEC DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. SECSTATE 91451
B. ISTANBUL 565
UNCLAS ATHENS 001361
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PREL KCRM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: BSEC DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. SECSTATE 91451
B. ISTANBUL 565
1. (SBU) On July 2, DepPolCouns, Econoff, and Poloff
delivered BSEC environmental symposium demarche points to MFA
B2 Directorate for Economic and Commercial Affairs Deputy
Director Ioannis Metaxas. Metaxas responded that high-level
officials from the Ministry of the Environment and the
Ministry of the Merchant Marine would attend the symposium to
discuss the environmental success in the Aegean Sea as a
possible model for Black Sea cleanup. He did not, however,
provide further details on the Greek participants.
2. (SBU) Metaxas took the opportunity to provide a readout
of the BSEC Summit of June 25. Covering much of the same
information as ref. b, Metaxas also told us that the
BSEC-U.S. environmental protection symposium is serving as a
coalescent agent, helping to add greater cohesion to BSEC.
While Metaxas may have been overstating the impact of the
U.S. project, his remarks indicated good will on the part of
the BSEC members towards U.S. participation. Metaxas saw a
certain convergence of interests among participating
countries on practical matters, while acknowledging political
realities (e.g., Russia/Georgia tensions). Metaxas argued
that practical projects, such as the U.S. environmental
efforts, were receiving wide support. Metaxas also believed
that the Russians appeared well-balanced in their approach to
the BSEC Summit, avoiding a big-brother role.
COUNTRYMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PREL KCRM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: BSEC DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. SECSTATE 91451
B. ISTANBUL 565
1. (SBU) On July 2, DepPolCouns, Econoff, and Poloff
delivered BSEC environmental symposium demarche points to MFA
B2 Directorate for Economic and Commercial Affairs Deputy
Director Ioannis Metaxas. Metaxas responded that high-level
officials from the Ministry of the Environment and the
Ministry of the Merchant Marine would attend the symposium to
discuss the environmental success in the Aegean Sea as a
possible model for Black Sea cleanup. He did not, however,
provide further details on the Greek participants.
2. (SBU) Metaxas took the opportunity to provide a readout
of the BSEC Summit of June 25. Covering much of the same
information as ref. b, Metaxas also told us that the
BSEC-U.S. environmental protection symposium is serving as a
coalescent agent, helping to add greater cohesion to BSEC.
While Metaxas may have been overstating the impact of the
U.S. project, his remarks indicated good will on the part of
the BSEC members towards U.S. participation. Metaxas saw a
certain convergence of interests among participating
countries on practical matters, while acknowledging political
realities (e.g., Russia/Georgia tensions). Metaxas argued
that practical projects, such as the U.S. environmental
efforts, were receiving wide support. Metaxas also believed
that the Russians appeared well-balanced in their approach to
the BSEC Summit, avoiding a big-brother role.
COUNTRYMAN