I welcome that the Australian Government will not follow the USA in recognition of the name Republic of Macedonia in reference to FYROM said Elias Rallis Secretary of SAE today.

At a meeting in Melbourne between the newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Greece Mr Paul Tighe and Elias Rallis Secretary of SAE and Mr George Fountas President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Mr. Tighe reiterated the Australian Government's position regarding FYROM had not changed and that Australia would not follow the USA in recognition of the name Republic of Macedonia in reference to FYROM.

Other matters of interest to the Australian Greek Community were discussed including the urgent need to finalise the social security agreement between Greece and Australia and the need for greater cultural, educational and trade exchanges between Greece and Australia.

Mr Tighe will take up his new post in January 2005.