Karamanlis says Greece keen to enhance ties

New Delhi, Jan 11 : Visiting Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis today said that Greece was keen to further enhance its economic and cultural ties with India and develop bilateral relations between the two countries.

"Well, I attach great importance to our co-operation with India, a country with a very important economic and cultural calibre and of course with a very distinctive role in international scene," Karamanlis said after a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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.

Karamanlis, who is on a four-day visit to India, was received at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan by his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

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 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