Athens , 5 May 2011

Journalist: What came out of this meeting?

Mr. Droutsas: The Meeting of the Contact Group on Libya was of particular importance because it was stressed once again that the international community is speaking with a single voice on this issue. However, we must note that we are not seeing real progress; we are not seeing an end to the violence, and there is more and more confirmation of the view that Greece expressed from the very outset: that this crisis cannot be resolved through military means alone.

There is now an urgent need for serious, responsible, coordinated efforts to find a political solution, under the auspices of the UN. We stressed this in today’s meeting, and Greece is working in this direction and contributing with its own thoughts, proposals and initiatives.

There is, of course, the humanitarian issue – this is now a humanitarian tragedy – and I had the opportunity at today’s meeting as well to officially announce that Greece is preparing and will send, in the coming days, a vessel with humanitarian aid, medical supplies and a mobile medical unit that will be based in Benghazi and will be accompanied by a team of our diplomats, who will undertake the coordination work, liaising with the Libyan opposition in Benghazi.

Journalist: Isn’t that recognition of the transitional national council of Benghazi?

Mr. Droutsas: That’s not what it is, and no one – not here in the Contact Group, either – discussed that issue. But it is important for us to talk with all sides, and that is why we are going to take this step and send a team of our diplomats, who will take on the job of liaising with the Libyan opposition.

Journalist: Italian Foreign Minister Frattini talked about a roadmap yesterday that would come, politically, out of the meeting. Right now, on the one hand, we have confirmation of Juppé’s position: that the goal is not to kill Qaddafi, and meanwhile you decided on more substantial support for the opposition fighters in Benghazi?

Mr. Droutsas: As I said, it is important that we coordinate our efforts, intensify our efforts in the direction of finding a political solution, and Greece has contributed with its thoughts, with its proposals and initiatives in this direction; that of a roadmap. The time has come for the international community to work in a coordinated and responsible manner in this direction.

Journalist: Do you have any comment on the EEZ issue and Mr. Samaras’ statements today?

Mr. Droutsas: Once again, we didn’t hear any arguments. We haven’t heard a reply as to why – if the exclusive economic zone issue is of such urgent importance – we didn’t hear anything about this in the five and a half years New Democracy was in office. Why is it that all those who are voicing their concern today were silent a few months ago?

We are not relinquishing any right. Greece maintains all its rights deriving from and safeguarded by international law and the Law of the Sea in particular. And this concerns EEZs as well, of course. And Greece decides, as a sovereign state, when and how it exercises these rights. Let’s be clear on this so that no one has any doubts.