Athens, 1 July 2010
Main points:
· (Regarding the incident with the vessel “Cesme”): “Trust is a basic component and prerequisite for rapprochement between the two countries and normalization of their relations. By actions such as this, Turkey is squandering the stores of trust that exist. The choice to escalate and aggravate is an easy choice. It is not the path that we want to follow, but we know it well. If Turkey wants to improve its relations with Greece – if it really wants “zero problems” with its neighbours, as its leadership states at every opportunity – then it should show this in practice. But no one must question our determination to defend our sovereign rights.”
· (Regarding FYROM): “Greece wants to see the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia become a member of the European Union and NATO. We will be at the side of the people of our neighbouring country during the negotiation process. We have the know-how and influence within the European Union to stand by the side of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. But the basis on which we are saying this must be clear. We will have to have left behind us the issue of the name, and this means a mutually acceptable solution; a name with a geographical qualifier for use in relation to everyone, erga omnes.”
Full transcript of the briefing (translation):
Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning.
Earlier today, Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas presented – here at the Foreign Ministry – a special commemorative series of stamps issued by the Hellenic Post, marking the 200th anniversary of the independence of the Latin American countries Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico and Chile.
Following today’s Cabinet meeting, Mr. Droutsas will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Ploutarchos Sakellaris.
At 12:00 tomorrow, Friday, 2 July, Mr. Droutsas, Deputy Foreign Minister Kouvelis and the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry will participate in a meeting of Ministry Personnel with Ombudsman Giorgos Kaminis (Foreign Ministry, 5 Vas. Sofias, Venizelos Hall), which is being held to examine issues related to the Ministry’s responsibilities. The meeting is aimed at further deepening cooperation with the Ombudsman with a view to improving the quality and promptness of services offered to the Greek citizen.
On Saturday, 3 July, Mr. Droutsas will be in Krakow to participate in the High Level Democracy Meeting. The “Community of Democracies” is an international intergovernmental coalition of democratic states formed for the purpose of promoting democratic values and the strengthening of democratic institutions. It was founded on a Polish-U.S. initiative carried out in 2000, in Warsaw, where ministerial delegations from 106 countries from all around the world signed the final declaration Toward the Community of Democracies.
This year’s High Level Meeting, in Krakow, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the CoD.
At 11:30 on Friday, 9 July, Mr. Droutsas will meet at the Foreign Ministry with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who will be visiting our country. The agenda for the meeting will include, among other subjects, the European perspective of the Western Balkans, Euro-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, the Middle East peace process, and progress in the setting up of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Ms. Ashton will meet previously, on Thursday, 8 July, with Prime Minister George Papandreou, and will deliver a lecture at 19:00 – at the Athens Concert Hall – on the European Union’s role in the international environment.
On the evening of 9 July, Mr. Droutsas will fly to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to participate in the 5th annual Croatia Summit. The Summit will look at financial governance, global security, transatlantic relations, and EU enlargement and the countries of Southeast Europe. Participants in the Summit will include the Prime Ministers of France, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria; the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Austria and Canada; and EU Enlargement Commissioner Fuele.
Regarding Mr. Kouvelis programme, at 11:00 today he met with the Ambassador of Netherlands to Greece. At 11:00 tomorrow he will meet with the Australian Ambassador, and at 10:00 on Monday, 5 July, he will meet with the President of the Foundation of the Hellenic World.
At 11:30 on the same day, Mr. Kouvelis will meet with the South Korean Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, in a follow-up to the recent ratification by the Hellenic Parliament of the Greek-South Korean economic cooperation agreement. At 12:00 there will be talks, followed by a working luncheon at 13:30.
On Tuesday, 6 July, Mr. Kouvelis will meet with the Egyptian Ambassador to Greece, and at 13:30 he will meet with the Austrian Ambassador.
For three days, starting on 7 July, Mr. Kouvelis will be in the U.S., where he will have bilateral contacts regarding investment and trade, as well as meetings with representatives of the Greek American community.
I would also like to introduce Ms. Protaiou, who has taken up duties in Deputy Foreign Minister Kouvelis’s press office. I imagine you will already have met. You will have the chance to talk to her in person.
Your questions, please.
Mr. Papathanasiou: What’s up with the Cesme, where is it, what are we doing?
Mr. Delavekouras: The vessel “Cesme” is outside the area of the Greek continental shelf. On the evening of the day before yesterday, the vessel “Cesme”, while in international waters within the area of the Greek continental shelf, sent signals saying it was carrying out work.
Greece immediately made a demarche on the level of the Greek Embassy in Ankara and the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General. The Turkish side replied that it was not carrying out seismological research, but hydrographical research, and that it was not laying anchor.
What we need to take away from this – and what is the substantial issue – is the lack of trust that exists between the two countries. The Cesme’s course and activities have been monitored from the very outset to protect our country’s sovereign rights on the Greek continental shelf. Irrespective of the Turkish claims and the indications that seismological research was not being carried out, Turkey is under obligation to notify the Greek side, so that, as a coastal state, we can evaluate whether the Greek continental shelf is affected and, consequently, whether Greek consent is required in accordance with the Law of the Sea.
It is our choice to work to improve Greece’s relations with Turkey. We are investing in a future of cooperation and mutual respect that will overcome the stereotypes according to which we are enemies.
Trust is a basic component and prerequisite for rapprochement between the two countries and normalization of their relations. By actions such as this, Turkey is squandering the stores of trust that exist. The choice to escalate and aggravate is an easy choice. It is not the path that we want to follow, but we know it well.
If Turkey wants to improve its relations with Greece – if it really wants “zero problems” with its neighbours, as its leadership states at every opportunity – then it should show this in practice. But no one must question our determination to defend our sovereign rights.
Mr. Athanasopoulos: A clarification on that. How can we confirm what the Turkish side says – that is, that only hydrographical research is being carried out? How can we confirm this? Because the vessel monitoring the Cesme is some distance away, so it can’t.
Mr. Delavekouras: That is exactly why we said that Turkey should have notified Greece, as the coastal state, of the activities it intends to carry out. Beyond that, as I said, the activities of this vessel were under observation from the very first moment. So there was a natural and real picture regarding the activities it was carrying out.
Ms. Galonaki: I want to ask now, ahead of the local elections – Kallikratis: After November, when Thrace will be an administrative region, and due to the problems that exist with Turkey, which continue to exist, isn’t making Thrace a region intensifying the problem with Turkey?
Mr. Delavekouras: You are talking about a vast reform programme, the Kallikratis programme, that will change the country’s administrative structure and that comes within the competencies of the Ministry of the Interior.
Mr. Gogas: I have a theoretical – narrow question to ask. When was this store of trust Turkey is squandering created?
Mr. Delavekouras: That’s what we are saying. The store of trust is small, and for that reason we need to try to build confidence. That is why we need sincere relations with one another; that is why we need good cooperation and transparency. And that is why I am saying that even the small store of trust that exists is reduced by such actions.
Ms. Ristovska: Information has been circulating recently to the effect that the two countries are close to a solution on the name issue. I would like a comment on whether you believe that there truly is greater optimism about a solution being found this summer.
Mr. Delavekouras: Greece’s firm position is that we want to achieve a solution and we want to achieve a solution as soon as possible. That is why we are working and maintaining a constructive stance.
We have spoken in very clear language. We have said that the solution found will be a name with a geographical qualifier for use in relation to everyone, erga omnes. What we need is to find a response – at the negotiating table – on the part of the leadership of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
We recently saw some statements made by the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We hope that these statements will also translate into a constructive stance – at long last – at the negotiating table. If this is the case, we really could have progress and reach a solution. A solution that will free up the Euroatlantic perspective of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
And this must be clear. Greece wants to see the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia become a member of the European Union and NATO. We will be at the side of the people of our neighbouring country during the negotiation process. We have the know-how and influence within the European Union to stand by the side of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
But the basis on which we are saying this must be clear. We will have to have left behind us the issue of the name, and this means a mutually acceptable solution; a name with a geographical qualifier for use in relation to everyone, erga omnes.
Ms. Ristovska: Is the “Republic of Vardar Macedonia”, which we read recently – that is, does Greece consider the river Vardar a geographical qualifier? Does it fit within the framework you described?
Mr. Delavekouras: As you know, we do not make statements concerning the content of the confidential negotiation process within the framework of the UN. But Greece has stated clearly that it is prepared to look at any serious proposal that meets the prerequisites that have been set. That is, a name with a geographical qualifier, for use in relation to everyone, erga omnes.
Mr. Gogas: Have there been any developments on the demands of the diplomats and generally any move on the part of the political leadership to stop these constant protests?
Mr. Delavekouras: This matter – and it is a matter that concerns all of the branches of Ministry personnel – has to do with the operation of the Ministry. We know that final decisions have not been taken, and we are waiting to see how things develop.
Thank you.