Greek PM meets Pratibha Patil

New Delhi, Jan 11 : Visiting Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met President Pratibha Patil here today.

Karmanlis, who is on a four-day visit to India aimed at boosting bilateral trade and cultural ties, also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Earlier today, after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Karmanlis said that Greece was keen to further enhance its economic and cultural ties with India and develop bilateral relations.

Karmanlis also said his visit would provide a new momentum to further promote relations between India and Greece, which would benefit the two nations.

"My visit here testifies the steady progress in our bilateral relations and our willingness to further enhance them. We have excellent co-operation in all international organisations. We can work together to enhance further the European Union-India relations," he added.

During his stay in India, the visiting premier will visit Agra and Jaipur.

Karamanlis' visit follows the visit of former President A P J Abdul Kalam to Greece last year.

India is keen to enhance its ties with Greece across a broad spectrum.

Trade between the countries is on a growth path. India's export to Greece in 2006-2007 amounted to 672.51 million dollars, while imports from Greece were valued at 209.66 million dollars.

ANI