Athens, 2 December 2009

Mr. Lyritzis: Foreign policy issues, with Mr. Droutsas.

Mr. Economou: We have become a center for diplomatic consultations these days with the OSCE Ministerial in Athens.

Mr. Lyritzis: A good morning to Alternate Foreign Minister Droutsas. Good morning.

Mr. Economou: Greetings, Mr. Minister. Good morning and welcome.

Mr. Droutsas: Good morning.

Mr. Economou: First of all, European security is the focus of the Ministerial. What interests us, of course, is the bilateral meetings taking place. We had meetings on the margins with Mr. Milososki yesterday – you, Mr. Minister and the Prime Minister. What did you discuss in that meeting, Mr. Droutsas?

Mr. Droutsas: Allow me to say a few words about the OSCE Ministerial Council taking place here, and then I will gladly go into the bilateral meetings. But please let me say a few words about the Ministerial first, because it really is an important international event that we are hosting here in Athens.

More than 50 Foreign Ministers are here in Athens. It is a very big event, because the main subject of discussion is the new European security architecture, and I would be so bold as to say that Greece has left a legacy to the OSCE with this process that it initiated: the Corfu Process.

This is a discussion with a future. The effort we are making here today – and in yesterday’s discussion, of course, but we will finish up today – is to take a decision that will lay the foundations for further discussion of this vital issue. And as I said, this is Greece’s bequest to the OSCE.

Mr. Lyritzis: Might one say, Mr. Droutsas, that given the way the European Union is growing, with its policies of deepening on issues of foreign affairs and security, this role really should be played by the European Union? And for the OSCE to go to a different level?

Mr. Droutsas: The European Union is comprised of 27 member states today. The OSCE has 56 participating states, so you can see it much greater breadth, covering many other geographical areas and, one might say, different ideologies. I think this is the great value of the OSCE, and that is why we consider these discussions to be so important.

We think – and most of the participating states share this view – that the OSCE is the right forum for such a discussion, and that is the effort being made here. But one does not rule out the other, of course.

Mr. Economou: We don’t have a lot of time, Mr. Droutsas, so let’s get into the specifics. We have seen that the Greek government is making an effort. Bilateral meetings are being held. We saw the Prime Minister and Mr. Gruevski recently, and in the days immediately after the elections. He met with Mr. Gruevski informally, but it was nevertheless a meeting. He saw him again last Friday.

Mr. Lyritzis: Has our policy changed?

Mr. Economou: Precisely.

Mr. Lyritzis: Are we going for a solution to our bilateral problem, or are we firm on our line: The problem is international – discuss it at the UN.

Mr. Droutsas: You give me the opportunity to stress the obvious once again. We have said this from the very outset, but I will underscore it yet again. The sole process for the FYROM name issue is the UN process. That’s it. That is what we are supporting. That is the framework in which we are making our efforts.

Mr. Economou: So what are we doing in these meetings, Mr. Minister? Are we improving the climate? What is happening, exactly?

Mr. Droutsas: Look, this is precisely what the government is saying – this is our thinking. We are saying that direct contacts with Skopje don’t do any harm, and in fact we believe that they can really help the whole process.

Mr. Economou: And will you go to Skopje, Mr. Minister?

Mr. Droutsas: I’ll tell you about that as well. It is our view that when you have clear positions – and Greece has very clear positions on the FYROM issue – you have to guide things with confidence, with initiatives. And that is what we are doing. And these direct contacts with Skopje are taking place in this context.

Once again, we believe that this can help the process, and the only process that exists is …

Mr. Economou: In these meetings that you are referring to, do you see and change in Skopje’s stance? Is there anything different?

Mr. Lyritzis: Are we discussing the name issue?

Mr. Economou: Precisely.

Mr. Droutsas: Look, I can’t say that I have seen a different stance from Skopje at this time, but – again – we are in a negotiation process within the framework of the UN. That is where the negotiations are taking place, and that is where we will see how things progress.

Mr. Lyritzis: Right. But at the same time, we have other processes before us. What I mean to say is that while the issue hasn’t been resolved and we are still at the dialogue stage, procedures concerning FYROM-EU relations are set to open. As a country – and given the position we have adopted – if there is no progress on the name issue or in the discussions, will we approve the opening of Skopje’s accession negotiations with Brussels or not? Because I see that the other side is heading for postponement.

Mr. Economou: Due to the climate.

Mr. Lyritzis: Due to the climate, I imagine.

Mr. Economou: They are clearly concerned about Greece’s position.

Mr. Lyritzis: Are we firm on the position that things won’t move ahead if the name issue has not been resolved first?

Mr. Droutsas: From the very outset – on this issue as well – the government’s position has been clear. Our position is still clear, and I will stress it once again. Without prior resolution of the FYROM name issue, there is no question of Skopje’s opening accession negotiations with the EU. And we are very clear on this matter.

Mr. Economou: Will you go to Skopje, Mr. Minister?

Mr. Droutsas: I have said this repeatedly as well. We think it is a matter and indication of seriousness for the government to look at all the issues – even on a theoretical level. The issue of a potential visit to Skopje – particularly in the capacity of Chairmanship-in-Office of the OSCE – is always on the table. We are looking at it and we will see along the way whether it is advisable, whether it is useful, whether it can be done. We’ll see as things progress.

Mr. Economou: Mr. Minister, will you discuss this issue with the new leader of the main opposition party, within the framework of our national line?

Mr. Droutsas: I have said repeatedly – and I mean this, and I think it is obvious – that we are always at everyone’s disposal to discuss our national issues. And I have stressed this repeatedly. I think the situation here in Greece is very good: on the major national issues, the large majority of the country’s political forces agree on the principles and the objectives. I think this is very, very important. And I underscore once again that open discussion with everyone is a given.

Mr. Lyritzis: Open debate is a given. With all the processes concerning our neighboring republic, as well as those concerning Turkey’s European perspective, is the government thinking about convening either the national council of political leaders or party representatives on foreign policy issues for a more specific discussion? Not a public one, obviously.

Mr. Droutsas: As I said, dialogue, communication is a given. As to what manner the government will decide on – the Prime Minister will decide on – I think that we still have time to look at that and discuss these matters.

But I stress once again that debate, understanding and our keeping all the country’s political forces apprised is a given.

Mr. Lyritzis: And one last question concerning Turkey’s European perspective, Mr. Droutsas. As it is December and the dates of the EU discussions are approaching, what Turkey has done so far is pretty much it. You know the steps Turkey has taken and the steps it hasn’t taken. We all know.

And because various things are being said a written regarding the stance Cyprus is expected to maintain in the European Union, will Greece – if things remain as they are – give its approval for the continuation of [Turkey’s] accession process, or is it prepared to exercise its veto?

Mr. Droutsas: I have stressed this many times. And these are not just words. We have shown this in practice during the 50 days we have been in office. We said at the very outset that Greece will once again stand by Cyprus, by the Cypriot people, in both word and action.

And we have proven this. Already – during these first weeks – I have been in constant contact with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Markos Kyprianou. We have met 4 or 5 times. The day before yesterday we had our most recent, long meeting. We collaborate closely and on a daily basis. We are fully coordinated and we will go to the European Council with a single line on this issue.

Mr. Lyritzis: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

Mr. Economou: Good day.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you.