07/30/2009 

The government spokesman on Thursday stated that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has accepted an invitation by US President Barack Obama to visit the United States, an invitation made during their bilateral meeting in Strasbourg recently.

The spokesman added that details for such meetings are being decided via diplomatic channels.

Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros made the comment when asked whether the prime minister will make a formal visit to the United States, where a decision will be made on Greece’s inclusion in the visa waiver programme offered by America.

As regards the personal data of the Greek citizens and whether they will be place at the disposal of the US agencies, Antonaros stressed that Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis made detailed observations on the issue while in Corfu last month.

He stated that countries cooperate within the framework of international treaties and that Greece fully respects human rights and individual freedoms.

Antonaros dismissed as “fiction” press speculation on a likely meeting in the United States between the PM and his Turkish counterpart.

ANA-MPA.GR