Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos met in Brussels on Wednesday, at the offices of Greece’s Permanent Representation to NATO, with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, who is participating in the ministerial conference – convened at NATO headquarters – of the countries in the coalition against ISIS.

Mr. Venizelos did not participate in the NATO conference, at which he was represented by Greece’s Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador M. Diamessis. The reason for Mr. Venizelos’ not participating personally was the fact that, despite the relevant, frequent contacts and demarches that preceded, the United States, which convened the ministerial conference, did not comply with the rules and practices of the UN with regard to the manner in which participating countries were referred to. More specifically, while FYROM participated in the conference under its provisional name, it has signed the relevant Joint Statement of the countries constituting the Coalition with its so-called constitutional name.

Greece submitted a relevant statement underscoring the pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the fact that Greece recognizes this country under its provisional name.

Mr. Venizelos addressed a relevant letter to the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry.