Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said after meeting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton that Washington had expressed strong support for the OSCE.

"I was encouraged to hear Secretary Clinton's strong support for the OSCE, in particular for the organisation's work on the ground in Georgia, before, during and after the crisis," Bakoyannis said after her February 25 2009 meeting with Clinton.

"It is clear from my discussions with Secretary Clinton and others in Washington that there is broad agreement that the OSCE's presence in the region is needed more than ever."

Bakoyannis said they also discussed proposals for a renewed European security dialogue.

"For over 30 years the OSCE has brought together the United States, Canada and Europe, including the Russian Federation and the rest of the former Soviet Union, to bridge differences, promote democratic standards and address common security concerns," she said.

The OSCE remained the natural forum for a discussion on the future of European security," Bakoyannis said.

Bakoyannis and Clinton also discussed various other international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Caucasus and issues of Greek interest including the situation in the Balkans, relations with Turkey and the Cyprus issue.

Ahead of her meeting with Clinton, Bakoyannis told The Associated Press that she would ask the Obama administration to expedite Greece's application to a US programme for visa-free travel.

Speaking after meeting national security adviser James Jones, Bakoyannis told journalists: "It was a long and very good discussion in a very good climate. We discussed issues of broader international interest that also concern the OSCE Chairmanship, issues that will be considered at the upcoming Nato Summit Meeting, and, of course, issues of particular interest to Greece.

"I had the opportunity to brief him on Greek-Turkish relations, on the Cyprus issue, the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. And, at the same time, of course, regarding the visa waiver programme, which is always an aim being pursued. The meeting was good and useful, as were the meetings I had at the senate, where I had the opportunity to brief senators on the foreign affairs committee in depth," Bakoyannis said.

On February 26, Bakoyannis will be meeting Matthew Nimetz, the United Nations-appointed special mediator on the "name dispute" between Athens and Skopje. She will then hold talks with US UN ambassador Susan Rice.

Bakoyannis is to address the UN Security Council on February 27. Before her speech, she is expected to meet Security Council President, Japan's UN ambassador Yukio Takasu.