President of Iraq Jalal Talabani, left, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, right, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, speak during the 23rd congress of the Socialist International at the Lagonissi Grand Resort, about 40 kilometers (25miles) south of Athens on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Close to 700 participants from 150 political parties and organisations from 120 countries will attend the Congress of the Socialist International from June 30 to July 2.