Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis met on 21 April at the Ministry of Tourism. Mayor Kaklamanis said after the meeting "I depart from the meeting with my friend Aris Spiliotopoulos possessing a great deal more optimism regarding joint action and cooperation involving the Ministry of Tourism and the City of Athens. The municipal administration considers the city's economic development a key priority. And this development concerns mainly the city's tourism identity. It is, therefore, self-evident that we both have every reason to coordinate our actions.

I would like to thank him for accepting my proposal for the signing of a programmatic agreement by the end of May, once the necessary procedure has been completed by advisors of both parties. For both the Ministry of Tourism and the City of Athens, it is very important that we unite our forces – particularly in terms of convention and city break tourism – as we share similar views.

Consequently, our cooperation will also allow us to overcome problems which relate, for instance, to the management and maintenance of Lycabettus Hill, which is not as simple as one might think due to the multiplicity of laws which exist in this country. As a result, Lycabettus – whose regeneration has almost been completed – will not require further works of this nature in a year's time. It will require maintenance, but not regeneration. I would like to thank the Minister and I believe that we will work together very well, firstly for the good of the land, but also for the entity each of us represents."

Minister Spiliotopoulos commented: "Aside from the friendly climate which exists due to the longstanding friendship and cooperation I share with Nikitas Kaklamanis, this meeting clearly was one of substance. It proved to be of substance because, from the outset, the Ministry of Tourism placed special emphasis on Athens in its effort to specialize the tourism product. Athens as an exhibition and convention destination, and as a city break destination. In fact, this was the reason that, from the very beginning, I requested a separate televised advertisement and a separate printed advertisement so that we could promote Athens as a unique, popular tourist destination throughout the world.

This comes at a time when Athens has its own tourism board and is ready to contribute to promotional efforts. And through our meeting today we confirmed that scope exists for joint initiatives to further Athens' tourism and cultural development.

From the very start, the Ministry of Tourism sought the cooperation of the municipality on a series of issues relating to coordination, cleanliness and aesthetic renewal in the City of Athens. The City of Athens called on the Ministry of Tourism to stand by its side and support the promotion of its activities. Of course, we have also examined ways in which to better coordinate our joint activities in areas such as Lycabettus, as well as others which are of interest to tourists."