Speaking at a roundtable discussion held at the UN headquarters on the Millennium Development Goals, Prime Minister George Papandreou underlined what he called the disappointment caused by a lack of progress regarding the achievement of these goals, such as the 50% decrease by 2015 of people living on less than one dollar a day.

After pointing out that the economic crisis has considerably hindered the realization of these targets, he stressed that austerity is functioning as an excuse for protectionist practices in the developed countries that hamper growth in the developing ones.

Sideline Meetings in NY

• US Jewish Organisation Officials

During his on-going visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York Prime Minister George Papandreou, on September 19 had a meeting with representatives of Jewish organisations in the US.

The premier stressed to his interlocutors that there is a "very good climate" in relations between Greece and Israel, pointing to increased prospects for further development of cooperation in "vital sectors" of the economy, such as tourism and trade.

• Iranian President

Greek News Agenda: PM Back in the USA & Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Greece-Iran Bilateral Relations