ATHENS, May 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday held a series of meetings with Greek ministers and the leader of opposition with a view to finding new avenues of cooperation between the two countries and to further strengthen their bilateral ties.

The series of meetings at prime minister’s hotel focused on economy and trade, security, sports, culture and tourism besides discussions on ways to strengthen the people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Greece.

Mr Aziz in his meeting with Minister for Culture Giorgos Voulgarakis said the common heritage shared by Pakistan and Greece date back to 700 BC. However, he said that this knowledge was earlier confined only to scholars and archaeologists but there was a need to familiarise the people about it, to promote and deepen understanding between the two countries.

He said cultural links provide a solid basis in promoting understanding and peace across the world. He also emphasized the need for scientifically digging up the Greek heritage in Pakistan and said the government would really appreciate Greek assistance in such excavation works, their preservation and display for the people of both the countries. President of the Greek Olympic Association Minos X. Kyriakou in his meeting with Mr Aziz discussed prospects for setting up a branch of International Olympic Academy to impart training to youth for different events in sports.

Mr Aziz said his government was focusing on improving facilities for sports in the country as it believed in a healthy young generation that can prove to be an asset for the country.

Mr Aziz while talking to Mrs Dora Bakoyannis, the Greek minister for foreign affairs said there was a tremendous potential to enhance cooperation between the two countries in a broad spectrum of areas including political, security, defence, economic and commercial spheres.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, Mr Aziz said Pakistan is opposed to nuclear proliferation and said the country has a right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards.

He said Pakistan is in favour of a peaceful resolution of the issue through dialogue and is opposed to any coercive measures against Iran. The use of force against Iran will further aggravate the regional situation, the prime minister added.—APP