Athens, 6 April 2011
Journalist: Mr. Minister, how were the talks with Libyan envoy Abdul Ati al Obeidi set up?
Mr. Droutsas: The initiative for the talks in Athens came from the Libyan side, and specifically following a telephone conversation between Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and his Libyan counterpart, al Mahmudi – and that phone conversation also took place at Tripoli’s request. The result of these talks was a Libyan envoy’s being sent to Athens, Ankara and Malta. After conferring with our partners in the EU, Nato and the Arab world, we decided to receive the Libyan envoy, given that Greece never wanted to abandon the efforts to find a political solution.
Journalist: After your talks with Obeidi, do you think a political solution is possible?
Mr. Droutsas: The most important conclusion we drew from these talks is this: the Libyan regime acknowledged that a political solution is the only way out. That is an important first step, despite the fact that we cannot get closer to a solution as long as the regime sets conditions. That’s why it is too soon to predict the outcome of such a process.
But the Libyan side did express to us their intention to comply with the UN resolutions; that is, to cease hostilities immediately and protect the civilian population. The Qaddafi regime has said as much before, of course, without living up to it.
The question that is of decisive importance at this stage is this: How can the ceasefire be implemented effectively? And our proposal moves in that direction. Both sides, the regime and the transitional National Council – under the supervision of the UN, the Arab League the European Union and the African Union – need to create the necessary conditions for an effective ceasefire.
Journalist: Do you think the regime’s claims that it is interested in a dialogue within the country can be trusted?
Mr. Droutsas: That remains to be seen. Recent experience doesn’t make it easy for the international community to trust the regime in Libya. On the other hand, we need to try to move down the diplomatic/political path, because it is in no one’s interest for the military operations in the region to continue. The credibility of the regime’s recent persistent assurances will be ascertained very soon.
Journalist: Did the Libyan envoy give the impression that Tripoli accepts that a possible solution might also include the political future of Qaddafi or his sons in Libya?
Mr. Droutsas: In diplomacy, one needs to be careful to steer clear of impasses. The international community has already expressed itself clearly on the matter of Qaddafi’s future. There is no one in the international community who can imagine Libya’s political future with Qaddafi in it.
Journalist: Did al Obeidi say anything about the future role of Qaddafi’s sons?
Mr. Droutsas: Nothing specific can be said on that matter right now. But it is clear that the future leadership of Libya can be determined only through a free decision of the Libyan people.
Journalist: Al Obeidi continued his journey in Ankara. Is Libya looking for the most convenient mediator?
Mr. Droutsas: I don’t want to get into guesswork about the Libyan regime’s intentions in sending its envoy to Athens, Ankara and Malta, because Libyan envoys were also sent to African countries.
But Greece certainly isn’t a ‘convenient’ mediator. As a country in the region – a country that cultivates traditional good relations with all of the Arab countries – we want to put ourselves at the disposal of the international community.
That is why I am in close contact with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu, just as Prime Minister Papandreou is in ongoing contact with his counterpart, Erdogan, so that we can coordinate the tactics of our countries in the region. Together, Greece and Turkey can exert their influence to end this crisis.
Journalist: Were further meetings with the Libyan side agreed on?
Mr. Droutsas: We are in contact with all our partners to discuss the course from here on in, particularly within the framework of the international Contact Group on Libya.