NEW YORK, NY—February 7, 2007, His Excellency Stuart Beck, the Republic of Palau Ambassador to the United Nations paid a courtesy call H.E. Ambassador Adamantios Th. Vassilakis of Greece. Ambassador Beck went to express his gratitude to the former President of the United Nations Security Council for Greece’s support to the government and people of Palau during his tenure. Ambassador Beck thanked Ambassador Vassilakis, for his role in obtaining funding for Palauan police officers to train Greece, as well as grants for Palauan citizens to attend the Rhodes Scholar Program. During the meeting, the Ambassador of Greece thanked Palau for its early support in voting for Greece for the Security Council as well as our support for Greece on issues of mutual interests in the UN. During the meeting, Ambassador Vassilakis also discussed the possibility of additional police training and scholarships for cultural exchange programs.
Ambassador Beck stated: "During his tenure as President of the Security Council, Ambassador Vassilakis was a strong supporter of Palau’s UN presence initiative and contributed much to the exposure of the Micronesia by turning the UN’s focus not just upon Africa and Europe but also towards the Pacific region, in particular small island states.
Beck added: "He was a true diplomat who was known in the UN for his quiet wisdom, friendly charm and warm personality. As President of the Security Council, Ambassador Vassilakis proved to be a patient, capable and efficient leader who fulfilled his role with dignity.
Greece and the Republic of Palau established diplomatic relations on 2 June 2004. In July 2004 the Republic of Palau accredited the Greek Embassy in Tokyo. Both countries cooperate in the framework of international organizations, and under the EU COTONOU agreement. In 2004, Palau sent a delegation to the Athens Olympics.