Greek President Karolos Papoulias and his visiting South Korean counterpart Roh Moo-Hyun pledged in Athens on Monday to further promote bilateral cooperation in various fields and work for the peace and cooperation in their own regions.

The two presidents took part in the signing ceremony of the agreements on maritime transports and tourism.

Papoulias said that the signing of these two important agreements would strengthen the already broad institutional framework for the further development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, adding that the relations between Greece and South Korea were "excellent."

"The accords we signed help in the establishment of a model of mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors of high importance in both countries," the South Korean president told reporters after the meeting, expressing expectations for the development of cooperation in the sector of technology as well.

The two Presidents discussed the "major regional issues," and Papoulias briefed Roh on the situation in the Balkans, Greece's relations with its neighboring countries, and developments in the Cyprus issue.

Roh, in turn, briefed Papoulias on the situation on the Korean peninsula, and the two Presidents agreed that the problem with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea must be resolved through peaceful means, and within the six-part framework that has been agreed.

The South Korea President, who is on the first visit by a South Korean head of state to Greece since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961, arrived in Athens on Sunday afternoon for a three-day official visit.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2006)