[01] Papandreou-Netanyahu talks in Athens
[02] West Nile virus infects 47
ANA-MPA/Prime Minister George Papandreou on Monday expressed his satisfaction over the official visit to Greece by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the first by a standing Israeli prime minister, speaking during a joint press conference in Athens at the end of bilateral talks.
Papandreou referred to very productive talks with his Israeli counterpart, both on Monday and during his own visit to Israel recently. He added that a joint Greek-Israeli committee will be set up to enable cooperation to proceed more creatively and strategically.
"Relations between Greece and Israel are not competitive with other bilateral or multilateral cooperation," the Greek prime minister said when asked whether such a committee might create problems with neighbouring Turkey.
Papandreou also said a meeting was decided between the corresponding tourism, finance and economy ministries so that mutual visits to the two countries by businesspeople and related investment initiatives can be organised.
"We do not believe that relations between Greece and Turkey and Israel and Turkey are competitive to relations we are developing with Israel," Papandreou emphasised, adding that "regional cooperation is of vital importance for good neighourliness, as well as for resolving problems in the region, which are many."
On his part, Netanyahu stressed that "I agree absolutely with every word that Mr. Papandreou said, it would be something unnatural if we do not strengthen relations between Greece and Israel." He added that Israel is interested in improving its relations with Turkey, but is also interested in developing its relations with Greece in all sectors.
Papandreou expressed certainty that the visit will be helpful in developing bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation in such sectors as investments, tourism, energy, telecoms, IT services, water desalination and innovation technologies.
Cooperation will also take place in the sector of renewable energy sources, new farm technologies and security.
Greece's Disease Control and Prevention Centre on Monday announced that 47 people have been infected by the West Nile virus so far.
The virus has claimed three victims so far.
Fifteen patients have been discharged from hospital while 28 are still receiving treatment, seven of whom in ICUs. One man infected with the virus has not been treated in a hospital.
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