Athens, 11 June 2008
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. This evening, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis and the Deputy Foreign Ministers will participate in the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament for debate and adoption of the draft law on ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
On Thursday, 12 June, Ms. Bakoyannis’ working visit to Cyprus begins. The programme is as follows:
On Thursday, at 11:30, she will meet with her Cypriot counterpart, Marcos Kyprianou. A meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias, will follow, at 12:30.
At 14:45 on the same day, statements will be made to the press, and Ms. Bakoyannis will have successive meetings with representatives of the Cypriot political parties. Specifically, Ms. Bakoyannis will have talks with AKEL parliamentary representative Mr. Nikos Katsouridis, with DISY President Mr. Nikos Anastasiadhis, with DIKO Alternate President Mr. Georgos Kolokasidis, with EDEK President Mr. Yannakis Omirou, with EURO.KO President Mr. Dimitris Syllouris, and with the Secretary General of the Greens party, Mr. Giorgos Perdikis.
Also on Thursday, at 19:45, Ms. Bakoyannis will address an event being organised by the Glafkos Clerides Institute for Eurodemocracy. The subject of this event is “The European Union following the Lisbon Treaty”.
On Friday, 13 June, at 09:30, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Mr. Marios Karoyian, and immediately afterwards she will have successive meetings with former presidents of Cyprus Mr. Vasileiou, at 10:30, Mr. Clerides, at 11:00, and Mr. Papadopoulos, at 12:00.
On Friday, Ms. Bakoyannis will also travel to Paphos, where she will be received by the city’s Mayor, Mr. Savvas Vergas.
On Saturday, 14 June, at 11:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will deliver a speech on “The European Future of a Reunited Cyprus”, at a public event in Paphos, at which her Cypriot counterpart, Mr. Kyprianou, will also speak.
At 19:00 on Saturday, the Mayor of Paphos will bestow the gold key to the city on Ms. Bakoyannis. The Minister will attend the ceremony for the signing of a memorandum on the initiation of the process for making Paphos and Chania sister cities.
On Sunday, 15 June, Ms. Bakoyannis will depart Nicosia for Luxembourg, where she will represent Greece at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). At 20:00 on Sunday – on arriving in Luxembourg – Ms. Bakoyannis will attend a working dinner of the European People’s Party.
Finally, on Monday, 16 June, Ms. Bakoyannis and Deputy Minister Mr. Valinakis will participate in the proceedings of the GAERC. The basic issues on the agenda are as follows:
· Western Balkans
· Iran’s nuclear programme
· The situation in Africa, with emphasis on Sudan
· Preparation for the European Council on 19 June
On the margins of the GAERC, there will be an Association Council with Israel, as well as EU-Croatia and EU-Turkey intergovernmental conferences.
Regarding Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis’ programme, tomorrow at 12:00 he will be in Volos to participate in the Argonaut Campaign international conference, which is being organised by the Hellenic Parliament’s Greek-Georgian Friendship Group, in collaboration with the municipality of Volos.
At this moment, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Doukas is participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Committee for Greek-Uzbek Economic and Technical Cooperation, which is being held at the Foreign Ministry. And at 12:45 he is to sign a relevant cooperation protocol. Later – also at the Foreign Ministry – a business conference will take place in view of Mr. Doukas visit to Uzbekistan.
Finally, tomorrow, 12 June, Mr. Doukas will participate in the proceedings of the International Donor Conference for Afghanistan, which will be taking place in Paris.
Before we start the Q&A, I would like to say a few words about the Minister’s visit to Cyprus – regarding the framework for this visit. This is Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis first working visit to Cyprus since the new Cypriot President, Mr. Christofias, took office.
It will provide an opportunity for a briefing on the course of the bi-communal talks there, as well as for an in-depth discussion of broader developments in, aspects of and the outlook for the Cyprus issue. This visit is also taking place within the more general framework of – and also confirms – Greece’s policy on Cyprus, with particular emphasis on ongoing cooperation, communication and coordination between Athens and Nicosia.
Finally, this visit sends a strong message reaffirming Greece’s support for the Cypriot leadership and President Christofias’ efforts to end the current, unacceptable division of the island.
Your questions, please.
Mr. Hadoulis: Will you say a few words about the Meeting beginning on Rhodes today between the Knesset, Palestinians and the Council of Europe, and a few words about the discussions and whether we expect anything tangible to be announced at the end of the Meeting.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: On 11 and 12 June, the Trilateral Forum between the parliamentary delegations of the Knesset, the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly is taking place in Rhodes. Greek MPs will participate in the meeting in their capacity as members of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee.
Ms. Nikolaou: Two questions. Your comment on Turkey’s reaction to the memorandum of understanding signed by Cyprus and Britain. And second, in the talks that are to begin between the two sides, I assume that one of the issues they will discuss is the issue of guarantees. As a guarantor power, what is Greece’s position on this discussion?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the reactions we have seen from the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides – regarding the UK-Cyprus MoU – I have no particular comment apart from that they were incomprehensible.
Second, I will take a more general stance. The negotiations that we all want to begin – on the right basis and following good preparation – are aimed, as you know, at the reunification of Cyprus. That is the strategic objective. That is the strategic endeavour: The reunification of Cyprus; that is, a unified Cyprus that is a member of the European Union.
Within such a framework, it is Greece’s view that systems of guarantees or rights to intervene are obsolete. They are rationales and practices that are foreign to – and, I would say, unknown to – the European framework. Such issues do not exist for the members of the European family.
Mr. Athanasopoulos: Two questions. The first concerns your last statement. This means that the view you expressed on guarantees means that if the Republic of Cyprus insists on the lifting of guarantees, Greece will oppose the British position, which has been consistent for some years now. And second, whether you have any information regarding last night’s meeting between Mr. Vassilakis and Mr. Nimetz.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the issue raised concerning the previous question, I took a general stance. I’m not talking about negotiations as such. Moreover, as you know, the main negotiations have yet to begin. I took a general stance – a general political stance – which I think makes perfect sense. A united Cyprus, a member of the European Union, obviates the obsolete rationale of guarantees and rights of intervention.
As for Mr. Nimetz’s meeting yesterday with the Greek negotiator on the name issue, Mr. Vassilakis, there is nothing particular to announce. The ground was surveyed so that we can see where we stand and what the next steps will be. As you know, a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday in New York, between Mr. Nimetz and the two negotiators, and there will be further discussion at this meeting.
Very early on, Greece expressed its willingness to participate and be present in the process taking place within the UN framework. And of course one should bear in mind the broader political framework; that is, that we will have to wait for a government to be formed in our neighbouring country when the election process has been completed.
Mr. Berberakis: Mr. Spokesman, regarding the previous subject: will Greece renounce its right to be a guarantor power in Cyprus?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Nothing like that was said. I took a general position. As I said before, the negotiations haven’t begun yet. These negotiations are expected to be difficult and long, when they begin. You are aware of the complexity of the subject on which the consultations will take place, and when we get to a united Cyprus as a member of the EU – as we hope to do – we are simply saying that within this framework that this rationale of guarantees and rights of intervention has no place.
Mr. Kottaridis: Given that the government in Skopje has made it clear that a precondition for finding a solution on the name issue is recognition from Athens of the existence of a “Macedonian” ethnicity and language – apart from what they’ve been saying lately about a minority – is Greece participating in these meetings being held by Mr. Nimetz? Based on what thinking? What is it hoping for?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The negotiations have an established objective, and that objective is the finding of a definitive solution on the serious pending issue of our neighbouring country’s name.
Greece has repeatedly said that it does not intend to be dragged into a discussion of issues that will essentially divert the negotiations from their basic purpose, which is to find a mutually acceptable solution on the pending name issue.
Ms. Antoniou: Mr. Spokesman, yesterday in Slovenia the U.S. delegation requested that the EU-US Summit Meeting conclusions include a reference to the fact that the U.S. recognised FYROM as “Republic of Macedonia”. As this is the second time this has happened, given that FYROM was recently invited to Washington as the “Republic of Macedonia”, and given the U.S. interest, let’s say, in this whole negotiation process, do you think that this process is influenced by the U.S. stance?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The United States took a specific decision four years ago: to recognise our neighbouring country in their bilateral relations under its constitutional name. Beyond that, it is well known – and this is applied by international organisations – that the neighbouring country takes part in international fora and that its international representation and activities are under the name ‘Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’, in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.
So this is the framework within which efforts are being made to find a mutually acceptable solution, and this framework should be respected by everyone.
The negotiations are continuing and, for our part, we are addressing the negotiations with great care. Our stance is always based on respect for UN Security Council resolutions and, of course, Greece’s well-known positions.
With regard to the EU-U.S. meeting. What I know is that the final, adopted text follows the reasoning I mentioned earlier; i.e., that our neighbouring country is mentioned in international texts under the name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
Yes, Ms. Antoniou, there were several thoughts. Certain views were voiced. There were discussions on this matter, and also Greek objections. What we should bear in mind, however, is the final outcome. The final text that was adopted.
Mr. Santamouris: I would like to come back to the substance of Mr. Kottaridis’ question: exploratory consultations are being held in the U.S. so that negotiations with our neighbouring country can continue. The outgoing Foreign Minister, Mr. Antonio Milososki, stated in Brussels that if Greece goes some way towards acceptance on the issues of a “Macedonian ethnicity” and a “Macedonian language”, we might be able to find a solution. In this discussion taking place in the U.S., does Greece see only the name as the subject of negotiations, whereas Skopje sees the rest of the package? How exactly is this process taking place? What exactly is being explored?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, as a matter of principle, I would like to repeat something we’ve said before; i.e., that it will not be advisable – and, in any event, we do not think it is useful or effective – to get involved in a public debate on specific aspects of a discussion. These are not public negotiations.
Beyond that, the framework and purpose of these negotiations are determined by UN Security Council resolutions .
Greece respects this framework. It respects the logic of these negotiations and acts based on it.
But beyond the general statements, I would like to make a clarification. Greece will refrain from making any public comments about individual aspects of and moves made in these negotiations. Not due to a “gag rule” rationale, but because we believe this is a responsible stance; a stance that ultimately contributes to and supports this negotiation process.
Mr. Santamouris: My second question: A political situation is taking shape in Turkey. I would like your comment on whether it will facilitate future steps toward bilateral conciliation and the improvement of bilateral relations. Do you think that the current situation can change the framework of talks between Athens and Ankara?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The goal and objective of Greece’s policy with regard to Greek-Turkish relations is well-known; it is firm. We are seeking a substantial improvement in, and ultimately the full normalisation of, the two countries' bilateral relations. It is certain that this effort cannot be made in a political vacuum. There are concurrent political developments.
We take these developments into account. We study them, evaluate them, incorporate them into our thinking. They are not a factor that could lead to a change, to a shift in our basic strategy and objective, which, as I just mentioned, is to improve the two countries' relations and ultimately fully normalise them.
We hope that domestic developments in Turkey will not curb their desire and will to work to achieve the country’s admission to the European Union, and that they will not curb its will to work to continuously improve Greek-Turkish relations and to resolve the Cyprus issue. Finally, that they will not obstruct its ability to proceed to the necessary further reforms and adapt to European prerequisites, criteria, principles, and values.
Ms. Bekatorou: Do we have any new developments with regard to the issue of Greece’s KFOR troops, who had problems passing through Skopje?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, a clarification. They did not have a problem. A problem was caused for them. Secondly, as we’ve said, this issue concerns NATO. It’s not a bilateral issue. There are the necessary consultations and contacts within NATO. I think that we will see the outcome of these consultations in the coming period. Beyond that, given that this is a pending process, I would not like to rush into comments. I would like to take the opportunity of your question to stress that as far as the Greek side was concerned, everything was in order.
Ms. Bekatorou: There were statements from NATO in Brussels and KFOR in Pristina that they are not concerning themselves with this issue, that it is a procedural matter between Athens and Skopje.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have not seen such a statement. And the information I have goes in exactly the opposite direction from the one you’re telling me.
Ms. Bekatorou: These statements were made at a briefing in Brussels and a briefing in Pristina.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know. The information I have is that there was a discussion in the competent bodies and that competent Alliance officials have been involved in this matter. I don’t have a detailed picture, because this does not really fall within the Foreign Ministry’s competencies. With regard to what you mentioned, I see that there is indeed a divergence between your information and mine.
Mr. Kottaridis: While we’re on the subject of pending issues, do we have anything new on the Agios Efstratios and NATO issue, and whether an AWACS was found by NATO for this exercise to be carried out?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let’s make this clear. As we’ve already said, the realisation of this exercise is an open matter. It is not closed in the sense of the exercise being cancelled. The exercise was postponed. When there are developments, we will brief you on them.
Mr. Kalarrytis: My question relates to the Skopje issue and is linked with a previous question.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There have been quite a few.
Mr. Kalarrytis: The fact that Skopje is demanding the recognition of a “Macedonian” ethnicity, language, etc. within the framework of negotiations. You said that it is not within the framework of the UN mandate, that we are only discussing the name. But given that this is the source of the whole problem, the claim to a “Macedonian” ethnicity, “Macedonian” language, etc., shouldn't we address that?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What I do know is that 2.5 million Greeks feel proud to be Macedonians.
Mr. Santamouris: Will Greece take part in the upcoming Donor Conference on Kosovo?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know if a date has been set yet. There are some indications that it could take place in July. Greece is always present in EU initiatives.
Mr. Hadjidamianos: Given the Prime Minister’s letter to the President of the European Commission, will Ms. Bakoyannis bring the issue of rising prices for basic goods to the table in view of the European Council?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know.
Thank you.