国际英语新闻：Greece seeks leading role in regional affairs along with economic recovery: minister

ATHENS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Greek credibility deficit is not only confined to the financial and markets sector, and the new government also aims at restoring the leading role Greece can hold in foreign affairs in its neighborhood, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitrios Droutsas said on Tuesday while addressing a forum in Athens.

"We try to return to an energetic foreign policy with initiatives that will create opportunities for strengthening the stability and security in the broader area, promoting economic and social well-being," Droutsas stressed during a speech at an international conference on Greek economy, citing the Greek efforts concerning the Balkans and Turkey as an example of this new spirit.

Athens seeks a fair solution which could be accepted by both sides on the name dispute issue with Macedonia, in the framework of the Agenda 2014 campaign toward the future admission of the rest of the Balkans countries to the EU, the minister said.

"We seek a solution based on geographical terms that will reflect reality, will not leave open issues, or the feeling that a country is not treated just," Droutsas said ahead of a new meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in Brussels on Thursday.

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Droutsas underlined that Greece supports strongly the prospect of a Turkish full membership in the European Union, and not just a special relationship as other EU member states suggest, "as long as Ankara fulfills all obligations" under the criteria set for all applicants.