Athens
, 12 November 2009
Mr. Delavekouras: Good afternoon. I’ll start with the programme.
Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas is meeting as we speak with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias.
At 13:20 today, Mr. Droutsas will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Titov. A working luncheon will follow.
At the meeting they will discuss issues of bilateral relations, Russia’s participation in BSEC activities, cooperation on OSCE issues ahead of the visit to Greece of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation on 1 and 2 December.
They will also discuss issues of interest to Greece, including the Cyprus issue, the FYROM name issue, the Balkans. It will be an opportunity for us to present the Greek initiative for the 2014 Agenda, and energy cooperation issues will also be discussed.
At 09:30 tomorrow, 13 November 2009, Mr. Droutsas will open the proceedings of the international conference on “Southeast Europe: Crisis and prospects”, which is being held under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry, at the Athens Concert Hall. The Conference is being organized by the Center for Progressive Policy Research (KEPP), the Hellenic Center for European Studies (EKEM), and the Institute of International Economic Relations (IIER).
At 12:00 on Friday, 13 November 2009, Mr. Droutsas will receive the Slovenian Ambassador to Athens at the Foreign Ministry. At 12:30, he will receive the Belgian Ambassador, and at 12:50 he will receive the Israeli Ambassador.
On Monday, 16 November, Mr. Droutsas will travel to Brussels to participate in the proceedings of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), which will take place on 16 and 17 November, with the participation of the Ministers of National Defense and Development Cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis will also participate in this GAERC.
The agenda for this GAERC is expected to cover – beyond preparations for the December European Council – Sustainable Development Strategy, and European Security and Defense Policy issues.
The main subject of discussion at the Foreign Ministers’ dinner will be EU-Russian relations, ahead of the EU-Russia Summit Meeting, which will take place on 18 and 19 November, in Stockholm.
The joint session of Foreign and Defense Ministers will look at issues concerning the ALTHEA operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and challenges and opportunities for European Security and Defense Policy, which has been in operation for 10 years. Foreign and Development Cooperation Ministers will discuss the EU support framework in Afghanistan.
An EU Troika-OSCE meeting will take place on the margins of the GAERC. Greece will participate in this meeting in its capacity of OSCE CiO.
On Monday afternoon there will also be an Informal Meeting between NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Foreign and Defense Ministers. This meeting will look at “New challenges in the field of crisis management”.
Finally, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 17 November, Alternate Foreign Minster Droutsas will depart Brussels for Ljubljana, where he will accompany the President of the Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, on his state visit to Slovenia on 17 and 18 November.
This morning, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis opened the proceedings of the 3rd Business Forum of Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises, in Thessaloniki.
At 12:00 tomorrow – Friday, 13 November – Mr. Kouvelis will be a keynote speaker at the International Conference on “Southeast Europe: Crisis and Prospects”, at the Athens Concert Hall.
That’s it for the programmes. I am at your disposal for any questions you might have.
Mr. Hidiroglou: Greece, from what has come out, at least, abstained from the vote on the report from the South African judge, Goldstone, on the war crimes in Gaza. What I would like to ask is what we gained as a country from this major shift with regard to the Middle East issue in our foreign policy.
Mr. Delavekouras: When talking about the Middle East issue, we have to start, first of all, from Greece’s relationship with the Arab world. We are talking about a close, traditional, historical relationship and an immediate priority of the Greek government and our foreign policy.
It is indicative that one of the first meetings the Alternate Foreign Minister had after taking up his duties was the meeting with all of the Ambassadors of Arab countries to Athens.
It is among our immediate priorities – in the near future – for the Alternate Foreign Minister to also carry out a tour of the countries of this region.
As regards the issue you raised – the vote within the framework of the UN General Assembly – the EU tried very intensively to shape a common position on this matter.
Greece believes in Community solidarity as a matter of principle, and Greece believes that the European Union must have a single voice on all external relations issues, because in this way the EU can be more useful and more effective in its interventions.
In spite of this, a common position was not possible. There was a proposal from the Presidency; a proposal that was not adopted for various reasons that have to do with the dynamic that developed in New York on this issue. It wasn’t possible to agree on a common position.
The great majority of EU member states followed the stance of abstention, and there were, of course, some states that voted in favor, and some that voted against the draft resolution.
This in no way amounts to a change in Greece’s stance or policy on the Middle East issue. Greece firmly supports the finding of a solution through negotiations. Greece supports that the solution arrived at must be a solution of two independent states – Israel and Palestine – that will live side by side in peace.
This is what we are pursuing, and we will continue to strive for this. And you should be aware that in both New York and Athens, the contacts with Arab countries are constant and there is always coordination.
Mr. Vatikiotis: Can you tell us the thinking behind Greece’s abstaining from this vote?
Mr. Delavekouras: It’s what I said before. The position taken by a large majority of EU member states was that of abstention. This has to do with the dynamic in the negotiations that preceded the draft resolution.
Of the 27 European Union countries, 16 abstained. Greece believes – and this is a matter of principle – that the European Union must have a single voice on matters of foreign policy. This …
Mr. Vatikiotis: (off microphone) So the European Union believes that they weren’t perpetrated. In essence, I’m saying, does the European Union believe that war crimes were not perpetrated in Gaza in the December war?
Mr. Delavekouras: No. Here, we are talking about a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly. We aren’t talking about the report itself. Greece has condemned the extreme escalation of violence. Greece had said that the assault, the war in Gaza, caused an incalculable humanitarian disaster. Humanitarian disaster on which Greece acted immediately, sending humanitarian aid.
The immediate priority was for the hostilities to stop as soon as possible, and they were delayed in stopping. Beyond that, however, this is unrelated to the manner in which the EU handled the UN General Assembly’s draft resolution during the negotiations on the resolution.
There, Greece sided with the majority of EU member states, because – and I say this again – in order for the EU to have a say and a role in the negotiations and the Middle East, it has to have a single voice. That is what we believe.
Mr. Malinov: Hello, I am an ITAR-TASS correspondent. I wanted to ask: You said regarding the subjects of the talks between Mr. Titov and Mr. Droutsas that they will discuss the 2014 Agenda. What do you mean by this agenda?
And my second question is how Greece sees Russia’s stance on the Cyprus issue, and the importance to Greece of cooperation with Russia in the energy sector. The projects, that is.
Mr. Delavekouras: The 2014 Agenda is essentially the initiative presented by the Greek government, the Prime Minister himself, at the SEECP meeting in Istanbul, in which he participated. We are talking about a political process, the setting of a new political target date by which all of the countries of the Western Balkans can join the European Union.
We are talking about a political process that will impart momentum to the enlargement of the European Union and the relevant discussions, which at this time are moving ahead with great delays.
In no way does this mean that we are talking about abolishing criteria or prerequisites. But we are talking in essence about how we can reinvigorate a process that has frozen. We want to create a vision for the leaderships and the peoples of the region: that their future really does lie in the European Union. But the European Union, for its own part, must undertake its responsibilities to this region and move ahead on its commitment, which was set down during the 2003 Greek EU Presidency, in Thessaloniki. To move ahead with its commitment on the full integration of these countries.
Now, among the issues to be discussed, naturally there is the issue of energy cooperation. Greece, as you know, wants to play and important role in Europe’s energy security through alternative pipeline routes and suppliers of oil and natural gas.
There are very important projects – like the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline, the Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy (ITGI) and the South Stream pipeline, as well as the linking of the Greek-Bulgarian natural gas network with the opposite direction.
The projects that pass through our country will be carried out in such a way as to ensure Greece’s economic interests, also bearing in mind the environmental dimension and sensitivities.
Ms. Fryssa: I would like your comment on the recent statements of the FYROM President, Mr. Ivanov, regarding the name issue and their cold-war relations with Greece.
Mr. Delavekouras: Before I say anything about Mr. Ivanov, I would like to say what Greece is doing. What messages Greece has sent from the outset.
The Greek Prime Minister met – on his own initiative – with the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Brussels a few days ago.
Greece stated that it is coming to these negotiations fully respecting the UN process, with an open mind and a constructive spirit. And it reiterated its clear positions on the national red line. On what the framework for the solution is. We are talking about an erga omnes compound name with a geographical qualifier.
We heard the statements of the FYROM President. We would expect the country’s leadership to abandon their extremist rhetoric that certainly impacts the negotiation process.
These recent statements indicate an obsession with cold-war ideas. Apart from the groundless and historically unfounded assessments that they are expressing, the reference to “Macedonians from the Macedonia of the Aegean” is not simply historically inaccurate, but also proves in the most official manner the anachronistic, expansionist, and irredentist perception of FYROM’s current political leadership.
They go against the principles of the UN Charter and constitute a substantial violation of key provisions of the Interim Accord.
Mr. Fourlis: Given that we are four weeks away from the December Summit, where one of the issues, as I understand, will be the request for a date for the start of accession negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Vassilakis, our negotiator, is going to see Mr. Nimetz today, as we understand. Possibly in the coming days, the Skopje negotiator will also see Mr. Nimetz, and then there might perhaps be a new round of talks.
Do you think that the time remaining is sufficient, in technical terms, for resolving the issue by the December Summit?
Mr. Delavekouras: First of all, I would like to set out the framework. The Greek negotiator traveled yesterday to New York in order to have an informal meeting today with the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Greece-FYROM talks, Mr. Nimetz. This is essentially their first meeting after the new Greek government took office and it is being held on a Greek initiative; it is an appropriate time for the Greek negotiator to brief Mr. Nimetz on the initiatives undertaken by Greece that I also mentioned earlier – i.e., the Greek Prime Minister’s initiative to meet with the FYROM Prime Minister – and on the spirit in which Greece is coming to these negotiations – the open mind, the constructive stance for reaching a solution on this issue, and also in order to describe the framework to him based on the things Greece has already clearly stated: an erga omnes compound name with a geographical qualifier.
Of course we are also faced with the December date. There, too, it is clear that, as Greece has stated, accession negotiations between the EU and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cannot start unless the name issue is previously resolved.
With regard to whether a solution is feasible or not by December, I believe that if the political will is there, it can be reached. But this presupposes the political will. I don’t want to create hopes or expectations or anything else, because it remains to be seen whether the political will is there.
Mr. Pollatos: Mr. Spokesman, excuse me, on the one hand, you spoke about an opening and an initiative undertaken by the Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister vis-a-vis Skopje, and on the other hand, you essentially accuse them today of cold-war mindsets, groundless positions, historical inaccuracies, anachronistic, expansionist and irredentist perceptions, etc.
Do you think that there is room for a substantial dialogue, when on the one hand we are undertaking initiatives and on the other we accuse them? That’s my question.
Mr. Delavekouras: This is precisely what we are saying. At the moment, the leadership of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is faced with a choice. It can choose to continue this aggressive, provocative, historically groundless rhetoric that it has been following to date. But then, it will have to be clearly aware of the consequences, i.e., that we are not going to reach a solution. And this has unavoidable implications.
Beyond that, Greece – we are saying it once again – is coming to these negotiations with an open mind and a constructive stance. We are coming to the negotiations in order for a solution to be found. We’ve said that from the start. It is essentially in the hands of the FYROM Prime Minister, who holds the key to his country’s Euroatlantic perspective; it is in his hands to decide which path he wants to follow.
Mr. Kalaritis: Have there been any developments with regard to speculations about the Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan’s visit to Greece, following his letter to the Greek Prime Minister?
Mr. G. Delavekouras: There isn’t anything to announce at the moment. During Mr. Bagis’ visit to Athens, the two sides expressed the wish and intention to follow up on the initiative by the Greek Prime Minister to meet with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul. Both sides have this intention. Beyond that, when a meeting is scheduled, we will announce it.
Mr. Tachtsidis: I also have a question regarding the Skopje issue. Let us suppose that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia accepts the erga omnes geographical qualifier to accompany the term “Macedonia”. How can we make sure that they will stop using the terminology that bothers us…
Mr. Delavekouras: The basic principle is that we don’t go into the content of negotiations, into the essence of negotiations, within the framework of briefings. Negotiations are carried out by responsible people, the two sides’ negotiators, and the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General.
But it is self-evident that any solution’s provisions will include provisions on its implementation. This is self-evident.
Mr. Caka: I wanted to ask you about the storm caused by … the exchange … borders between Greece and Albania. But politically they support and accuse the Albanian government that behind the agreement lie certain traps and that there is no complete transparency.
Is the new Greek government concerned about this issue? And is there on the part of Greece a review of the matter in order for this… the Albanian parties.
Mr. Delavekouras: Indeed the signing of this agreement on the delimitation of other maritime zones between the two countries was greeted a few months ago. It is a substantial development in our bilateral relations, and it marks significant progress.
The way in which – and the process to be followed by – each country in order to ratify it is each country’s domestic matter. For its part, Greece will proceed with the process in order for it to be implemented soon.
Mr. Fourlis: Mr. Spokesman, could you perhaps tell us what Greece's position will be at the summit on the 19th, at the extraordinary European Summit in particular, and could you please tell us whom we are going to support, what our preconditions are in any event, and how you perceive the initiatives undertaken all around you. If I understand correctly, Poland wants an interview process…
Mr. Delavekouras: First of all, this meeting will indeed take place on the 19th at the level of heads of state and government and they will have to opportunity there to discuss all the issues in detail, also with regard to individual persons. I have nothing to announce at the moment.
Mr. Pollatos: How will he reply to his Turkish counterpart’s letter? When should we expect Mr. Papandreou’s reply? And a second question, with regard to Greek-Russian energy cooperation: earlier, you mentioned alternative sources of energy, if I heard correctly. Is there a dependency, is there a monopoly in the relationship between the supplier, Russia, and Greece? The Deputy Environment Minister made a relevant statement.
Mr. Delavekouras: I spoke about alternative routes and sources. This is the European Union’s strategy and, therefore, Greece’s as well. Everyone agrees on that: Energy security means having many supplies and many routes.
Beyond that, Greece talks about specific projects, which we support and which we want to see completed.
The Turkish Prime Minister’s letter has not been replied to yet, you will be informed when a reply is sent.
Mr. Fourlis: Two questions of clarification. Could you please tell us – because we’ve been hearing things from the main opposition party regarding Russia and our cooperation – whether you have entered into discussions on the possibility of adding new suppliers or new sources of natural gas and oil for the pipelines?
Have you come to that discussion? Are you discussing anything new with Russia? For example, are you discussing the participation of other countries such as Azerbaijan for example?
Mr. Delavekouras: The discussion with Mr. Titov will mostly focus on bilateral issues, bilateral cooperation, and the topics of discussion will also include issues of interest to Greece regarding its neighbourhood: the Balkans, the developments there, the name issue, the Cyprus issue, and we expect that energy cooperation – which is of major importance for both countries – will also be discussed.
Thank you very much. Good day.