“I believe in Greek people”

American Foreign Minister Hilary Clinton met with political leaders in Athens today.

At midday on Sunday, Clinton met with Papandreou at Maximos Mansion, conveying the greetings of her family.

She showed particular interest in Theodoros Stamos’ painting “Endless field - Delphi”, which adorns the PM’s office. Answering an American journalist’s question about the participation of the U.S. national women's football team in the finals of the World Cup against Japan tonight, she said she was thrilled, noting that Vice President Joe Biden and her daughter Chelsea will be at the stadium in Frankfurt to support their team.

Earlier, Clinton met with her Greek counterpart, Stavros Lambrinidis.

Speaking after this meeting, Clinton noted that “Papandreou’s government is on the right track of reforms to make Greece more competitive”, repeated the “sympathy and support” of U.S. government in the effort to exit the crisis and expressed her belief “in the power of the Greek people, who throughout history has inspired the entire world.”

Foreign Minister Labrinidis said his American counterpart became the first “task” in his new office, noted that “many people have bet that Greece will fall but they will be disappointed”, and stressed that “Greece today is completely different to what it once was. We must all realise that there are no magical solutions and that we need to make a continuous effort”.

Addressing his counterpart, Lambrinidis stressed that the relations between the to countries exceed the boundaries of international relations, with Athens having expectations about the American support and the unwavering determination of Greece in an effort from which “we will emerge victorious”.

Regarding the crisis issue that dominated the statements of two ministers to the media, Clinton said that recent legislation has strengthened the competitiveness of our country and made ​​it more attractive to investors who seek transparency and protection of intellectual property.

They also spoke about the assessments made on either part in terms of international developments while Lambrinidis, referring to the Cyprus dispute, stressed his conviction that “progress is possible and we must pursue it”, adding that the relevant political will of Turkey is a prerequisite.

Clinton spoke about the difficulties faced by the international community in a wide range of issues and made ​​reference to developments in Libya, thanking Greece for “its willingness to host the Allied forces in Suda”, and the worrying developments in Syria, expressing appreciation for the demonstration of Greek solidarity with the U.S. regarding the attack on their embassy in Damascus.

She referred to the common perception of the two sides as to the process of democratization in North Africa, said that the issue of Gaza shared a “common approach” and expressed her appreciation for the stance of Papandreou’s government on the issue of the accession course of western Balkan states to the EU.

At 3 pm Clinton met with president Papoulias, expressing the support of the US government for Greece’s efforts towards an exit from the crisis.  

She also expressed her optimism that “despite the difficult times and tough decisions to be made, Greece is now on a course that will be very positive in terms of future growth and prosperity.” She said that some painful sacrifices will be necessary, but added: "I have great optimism about the strength and genius of the Greek people and I'm here to give a very strong message of support for the difficult job ahead”.

The U.S. minister also referred to the strong ties between the two countries, both through NATO and the Greek-American community which, as she said, “is significantly enriching both nations.”

Papoulias declared his optimism that Greece will overcome the crisis, thanked Obama for his interventions with Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, and referred to the 2,5 million Americans of Greek descent, the 5.000 professors of Greek origin who teach at American universities and the 9 Greek-American Members of Congress.

Her next meeting is with Finance Minister Venizelos at about 4pm, while on Sunday evening Clinton plans to visit the Acropolis Museum.

According to information, the meeting with Venizelos will take place at the Zalokosta office and not at the ministry, probably to avoid taking Clinton to Syntagma square. This is a meeting which is expected with interest in the wake of the declaration by President Barack Obama that America will not become Greece or Portugal.

What the Greek government expects from the talks with Clinton is to create the impression that the U.S. supports Greece in its effort to avert financial collapse. The U.S. is also the country with the strongest political presence in the IMF, one of the three arms that are responsible for the refinancing of the Greek debt.

The official program of the head of the State Department concludes on Monday morning with a meeting with opposition leader Antonis Samaras. Shortly after Clinton, who arrived here from Constantinople, will depart for New Delhi.