Athens , 1 February 2010

Ms. Peloni: Given the Turkish violations in the Aegean, do you think the timing is right for the reopening of the Greek-Turkish dialogue?

Mr. Droutsas: Turkey’s increased aggressiveness is very irritating to us, and we have made this clear to our Turkish collocutors. But this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t launch our effort. In fact, the hastening of our own moves is imperative. We cannot just sit back and watch passively. We have to capitalize on existing opportunities and create new opportunities and take initiatives. We have to create the state of affairs. We have goals and a method. We are launching a new effort without taking results for granted. We are well prepared and cautious, and we know what we want. We have the necessary experience from the similar effort in the past; an effort that brought positive results. We are serving the country’s interests and protecting its rights. We are not afraid of dialogue within a framework that we set. And under no circumstances will our sovereign rights be put on the table.

Ms. Peloni: Why wasn’t the full text of the Papandreou letter made public? Does the term “continental shelf” occur in the text?

Mr. Droutsas: It is a matter of basic seriousness that one should handle the Greek Prime Minister’s correspondence with the appropriate respect. We aren’t exercising foreign policy to make an impression. But transparency in foreign policy is a matter of principle for me. We made a commitment to keep everyone apprised of the content of the Prime Minister’s letter, and we did so. And I am at the disposal of all the political parties for further briefing, as well as for an exchange of views. But I think it is off the mark to accuse the government – any Greek government – of acting counter to the country’s interests, much less in secret. We have to lose this mindset and stop wasting energy fighting with shadows at home – we have to look ahead. As for the term “continental shelf”, it is obviously in the letter.

Ms. Peloni: Do you think that Ahmed Davutoglu is someone with whom a new page can be turned in Greek-Turkish affairs? Does he try to pass on the neo-Ottoman outlook to his collocutors?

Mr. Droutsas: Ahmed Davutoglu is a person of structured thinking, imagination and specific goals. And he serves his country’s interests. Just as each of us serves our country’s interests, in the best possible way. But in the final analysis, improved relations with Greece are in Turkey’s interests. And they are among Ankara’s stated goals. We will have constant contacts, and I believe that we will develop a relationship of cooperation rather that competition, despite the well-known stereotypes. We can get past the thinking of zero results in Greek-Turkish relations and enter a new era of rapprochement. I think we both have the sincere will, and we should make the effort.

Ms. Peloni: Are you troubled by the fact that Antonis Samaras accused you of backsliding into bilateral dialogue with Turkey? Does this mean the end of consensus on foreign policy matters?

Mr. Droutsas: I am concerned at the fact that Mr. Samaras seems to be following his predecessor’s foreign policy formula. A formula of non-participation, inertia and – in the best of cases – automatic pilot, in the hope that the problems will go away by themselves. And the “small-and-frightened” Greece syndrome. That era is over. Today’s government knows where it wants to take the country. We believe in consensus and we will pursue it – in a sincere effort. But we will not let the encumbrances of the past weigh us down. The time has come for our country to take the position it deserves again. And I truly hope that the leadership of the main opposition party and of all the political parties will not give in to the temptation of easy criticism on national issues. The struggle we are undertaking is for the good of our homeland, and all the political forces are needed in this struggle.

Reader’s question: The new government has been criticised for Atlanticism.  What is the strategy in Greek-U.S. relations? Do you think there is a good chance that your trip will wrap up the visa issue?

Mr. Droutsas: We have also been through a stagnant period in Greek-U.S. relations. Our countries grew apart – and without any specific thinking behind this. Relations with a great power do not necessarily evolve with the “small” country in a weak or defensive position. On this first visit, we want to lay the foundations for a new period of cooperation; an equal and mutually beneficial relationship wherever possible. The basic precondition is open and sincere dialogue. The U.S. remains an important factor in the region, and we want Washington to have a clear picture of our positions, efforts and initiatives. On the visa issue, what remains is a move on the part of the U.S. and the completion of their internal procedures. There is nothing pending on our part, and neither has anything further been requested of us. This is something that should have happened some time ago. And from what we’ve been told, our collocutors in the U.S. feel the same way.

Reader’s question: What role has the Foreign Ministry undertaken with regard to the “Kallikratis” plan in the sensitive region of Thrace, given that considerable areas will come under the administration of Muslim mayors?

Mr. Droutsas: The “Kallikratis” plan is a radical reform of the country’s administrative map. It will free up the power of local administrations that today remain bound by a bureaucratic system of administration. It is a huge initiative on the part of the government – the Interior Ministry in particular. But we have to stop seeing Thrace as a “responsibility” of the Foreign Ministry. Thrace is a vibrant, open society; a European example of harmonious coexistence of Christian and Muslim citizens, who are all Greek. It would be good if other countries in the region would follow this example and stop treating members of their own minorities as second-class citizens.