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Greece can count on US support for the investment it needs to set its economy in motion, especially in the energy sector. This is what US Secretary of State John Kerry said in his statement after the meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kodzias in Athens.

Kerry stressed that the Greek policy in the energy sector creates new opportunities for US participation in the planned programmes and welcomed the signing of contracts for the construction of the TAP pipeline and gas connection between Bulgaria and Greece IGB

The meeting of the two foreign ministers went down in a very positive atmosphere and ended with statements for closer cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the traditional friendly relations between them. Kodzias and Kerry did not forget to mention the importance of the Greek diaspora in the US in sustaining the warmth between the two countries.

"The US stands behind Greece," Kerry said in clear Greek. Other issues were discussed during the meeting as well such as the situation in Syria and the Cyprus question. The two secretaries united behind the opinion that it is necessary to neutralize the Islamic state and find a political solution for Syria, which will put Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian opposition at the negotiating table to negotiate a political transition in the country. Kerry and Kodzias also talked about the refugee crisis, which in the words of both "is neither Greek nor European, but a global problem."

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the US foreign secretary said that the efforts to solve it generate hope. He pointed out that during his visit to Nicosia yesterday he received positive signals. In turn, his Greek counterpart highlighted the need for security of Greek and Turkish Cypriots; he argued that the future solution must be accepted by all of the island's inhabitants.

Earlier John Kerry met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who said that his country was "a pillar of stability and cooperation in the region."

After the meetings, US Secretary of State visited the Melissa (Bee) NGO, which provides care to newly arriving immigrants and refugees. Kerry commended the work of older immigrants and volunteers among Melissa's membership with a post in the social networks.