ΑΤΗΕΝS — Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias is going to New York next week to take part in the work of the 76th UN General Assembly, on the margins of which he is expected to hold a series of important bilateral and multilateral meetings between Monday and Wednesday, September 20-22.

These are to include bilateral meetings with traditional allies and partners, starting with his Egyptian counterpart and the Industry Minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. The above meetings are part of the Greek foreign minister's regular contact with his counterparts and mark the consolidation of the strategic relations that have been developed with these countries over the last two years.

Important trilateral and quadrilateral meetings with Cyprus are also expected to take place, such as that of Greece-Cyprus-Egypt at the level of foreign ministers. A quadrilateral meeting between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States has also been planned, which is to be attended in person by Greek, Cypriot and Israeli foreign ministers and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. The Greece-Cyprus-Egypt trilateral meeting is intended to prepare for the next trilateral summit, which is scheduled to take place in Greece in October. The meeting with the participation of US and Israel is to examine co-operation in various areas, including energy, as well as developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. It will be an opportunity to discuss issues, which will be examined in depth during Greece-US Strategic Dialogue in October.

Developments concerning the Cyprus issue are expected to be the focus of contacts between the ministers of Greece and Cyprus, who will have a coordination meeting on Monday, September 20. The Cyprus issue is also expected to be discussed in the contacts with the foreign ministers of Gambia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the European Union's relations with these countries.

Following his recent meeting with his Libyan counterpart, as well as his visit to Tunisia, Dendias is expected to meet with his Algerian counterpart, a country that has repeatedly stressed the need to avoid third parties interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

A meeting with the new Armenian foreign minister has also been planned in order to examine the ties between the two countries, as well as the developments in the Caucasus region.