Athens, 15 September 2010

Main Points:

Mr. Droutsas:

(With regard to the Foreign Ministry)

·       A new post of Special Secretary will be created at the Foreign Ministry with a specific timeframe of one year. The Special Secretary will take over the preparations for administrative and organisational changes at the Foreign Ministry.

·       We will set up a Committee that will be responsible for elaborating the new strategic concept of Greece’s foreign policy. This project will have a specific timeline and it will be participated in by Foreign Ministry officials in close cooperation with academic partners, as well as anyone else who can contribute to this project. in these procedures, these preparations, a very important role will be played by the National Council on Foreign Policy (NCFP)

(With regard to Greece’s role in the Balkans)

·       Over the past 11 months we managed to give Greece its voice and presence back, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood. We also took some very specific and important initiatives, starting with Agenda 2014 for the Balkans, the region of immediate interest to us. I think that it is now well-known to everyone around the world, especially within the European Union.

·       A recent example (of the importance our partners attribute to Greece’s role) is the issue of Kosovo, following the release of the ICJ opinion and the immediate invitation and encouragement to Greece on taking up a substantial role and immediately visiting the area.

(With regard to the name issue)

·       The past 11 months have contributed, I think, to a U-turn on this issue. Pressure is no longer put on Greece. In a very convincing manner, we showed to all our partners and the entire international community – and I hope our neighbours – that Greece has the political will to resolve this matter. But at the same time we stressed the clear framework for the solution that Greece has been seeking.

·       We, once again, and in the most constructive of manners, confront and extend this invitation to the Skopje side to come and discuss the issue with us within the UN framework, and at long last let’s find a solution that will open up our neighbor’s future towards the European Union. A future that we sincerely want. And we want to see it soon.

(With regard to Greek-Turkish relations and EU-Turkey relations)

·       We seek close cooperation with Turkey, particularly on matters where there are common interests. full respect for international law, full respect for Greece’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights.

·       We believe in this policy of rapprochement and cooperation with Turkey. There are of course ups and downs in this course…We have chosen to address calmly all these provocations that we have seen in the past few weeks…We want, and we are willing, to try but the positive words we have been hearing from Turkey will have to be turned into positive, tangible deeds, which we are looking forward to.

·       The casus belli issue, once again, is unacceptable, particularly in these times, particularly when we are talking about a candidate for EU membership – for there to be something like this toward a member state of the European Union.

·       At the same time, we still support Turkey's European perspective with a view to its full accession to the European Union. We have repeatedly said that any ideas about another kind of EU-Turkey relationship are not in Greece’s interest…

·       And I want to repeat again the clear message for Turkey’s accession course: that Europe is ready to accept Turkey as a full member, on the condition that it meets all the obligations it has undertaken to the European Union, to all the member states; on the condition that it implements these necessary reforms.

·       I think that the result of the referendum and the whole referendum campaign mounted by the governing party in Turkey shows that, yes, the European course – the European strategy for Turkey – remains very high on Turkey’s agenda.

(With regard to the Cyprus issue)

·       The Cyprus issue remains Greek foreign policy’s top matter and priority. This is what I tried to put across with my recent visit to Cyprus, my first official visit after taking up office as Minister.

·       And I want to underscore once again Greece’s full support for President Christofias’ efforts.

·       The Cyprus issue has certainly entered an important, but not straightforward, phase; all of us need to make careful moves, and I think that within this framework, the latest proposals by President Christofias show the necessary direction and they can contribute to the swift resolution of the Cyprus issue. They have our full support – I repeat this once again - and I would like to place particular emphasis here to the proposal of President Christofias about the handing over of Varosia and the opening of the port of Famagusta.

·       I think that it will be an opportunity for Turkey also to show that it means what it says, that it wants to contribute to the swift resolution of the Cyprus issue.

·       The occupation troops in Cyprus are also unacceptable – it is something that is   inconceivable in the times we are living in. It is absurd for a candidate for accession to the European Union to maintain occupation forces on the territory of an EU member state.

·       I hope Mr. Eroglu also understands what is in the interests of the Turkish Cypriots, what is in the interests of the whole of Cyprus: a common future in the European Union.

(With regard to the Middle East)

·       I believe that Greece has regained an active role in this area. We are making the most of our traditional relations of trust with the Arab world and we are also capitalizing on the relations we have developed with Israel, this deepening of our relations. These relations are of strategic importance to Greece. Greece can truly contribute in the most constructive manner to the Middle East issue, which has also entered – as we all know – a very interesting new phase.

Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou:

·       (Here I would like to mention) two other significant issues, which will also be of great interest to us in the coming period. There is also the very crucial issue of revising the EU Financial Perspectives, which has been delayed a great deal as you know. The European Commission is expected to submit its White Book in the coming weeks.

·       This will be the precursor to the next big package of Financial Perspectives of immediate interest to our country, of immediate interest to our development and social strategy after 2013, of immediate interest to the future of the EU budget, to the future of cohesion policies at a time of fiscal and economic crisis, of immediate interest to the Common Agricultural Policy, to the development of the new policies we have been supporting.

·       Finally with regard to our country’s European presence and our European policy, I would like to highlight the importance of mobilising all our forces, something which clearly has to do with dialogue and efforts towards achieving common goals and political consensus with all of the country’s political forces. And concurrently making the most of Greece’s presence in all of the European Union’s institutions, which is already on track, and we need to work in this direction even more, towards  our firm cooperation with MEPs of course, and for a mindset and approach based on multi-level alliances.

Mr. Kouvelis:

·       Within one year we had more Joint Interministerial Committees and bilateral contacts on issues of economic policy than at any other time at the Foreign Ministry.

·       I would like to highlight the Greek-Arab Business Forum to be held on 24 September in Athens, which will be participated in by many politicians from Arab countries and a lot of enterprises from our own country as well as Arab countries.

·       Let me also mention our cooperation with Russia, a cooperation we had to relaunch; I will mention the contacts we had with the country’s political leadership and the President of the Sochi 2014 Olympics Organizing Committee, Mr. Chernyshenko, with whom I will soon set a date for a conference to be held here in Athens in order to allow Greek enterprises to take part in preparation works for the 2014 Olympics.

·       Let me remind you of the Greek presence in the Black Sea with the Chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization which prioritizes green development. Here I would like to stress once again that on 26 November 2010, a Meeting of BSEC Foreign Ministers will be held in Thessaloniki, concurrently with a Business Forum.

·       We will unfold our efforts in Asia towards achieving selected goals. There are countries that are very important and with which we have very significant trade deficits. In particular, Japan, Korea, and India, but especially Japan and Korea, two very important goals for us and the two countries with which we will start immediately. And of course put on track actions in Africa and Latin America.

·       In closing, I would like to say a few words on Hellenic AID. We are planning to introduce sea changes in the way Hellenic Aid works on matters of development cooperation. Complete transparency, which means that anything that has been scheduled, anything approved through a specific process, will appear on the internet since the first day so that the public can monitor it until its final stage of completion - so that citizens can know where their money is going. The second is effectiveness, so that every euro of Greek citizens’ money can be allocated in order to produce results in terms of development; and the third is Greece’s presence.  Greece can have a presence there and its presence can be recognized.

Mr. Dollis:

·       We have already talked about upgrading the Secretariat General, about re-examining – after 15 years – the functioning of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, because after so many years, we have to look at how it relates to the new state of affairs.

·       Ecclesiastical matters, particularly those relating to the Patriarchate, form a major part of the triptych of language-culture-faith of every Greek who lives abroad. These two areas of competence are intertwined and they will be given the necessary attention from us and from the Greek state.

·       We have talked about a relationship of respect from us towards the other Greece – that of the Diaspora Greek. This will lend great potential to all of those young Greeks who have experience and can contribute to the Greece of tomorrow; to the Greece that we want to create.

Full transcript of the press conference (translation):

Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning and welcome. The Ministers will make brief presentations first and then you may ask your questions. Let me start straight away by giving the floor to Foreign Minister Droutsas. Thank you.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you very much. A warm welcome to everyone and let me wish all of us a good autumn.

A very warm welcome to our fellow Ministers, the new members of the Ministry’s political leadership: Ms. Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, the new Alternate Minister competent for European affairs.

Spyros Kouvelis will be competent for the same issues he has been handling thus far, i.e. economic diplomacy, green diplomacy, environmental diplomacy as we call it and another point which we want to emphasize, cultural diplomacy.

Dimitris Dollis – whom I think all of you already know – is Deputy Foreign Minister competent for Greeks who live abroad and ecclesiastical issues.

Once again, let me welcome you all warmly to the Foreign Ministry and wish all of us the best of luck with our work, because good cooperation is a given, it is self-evident to us.

Let me briefly take stock of the past 11 months. I think that we can even talk about tangible results over the past 11 months.

First of all, let me recall the overall situation in which we found Greece, and particularly with regard to foreign policy issues. I think you all know what our starting point was – and please let there be no misunderstanding, I am not saying this for reasons of party politics – but I think an objective review should begin with the starting point.

Greece, in our view, had lost its voice, it did not have the necessary presence, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood. And as you all know, we were faced with a particularly adverse economic situation in our country; all this is well known.

But I think that over the past 11 months we managed to give Greece its voice and presence back, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood. We ensured the necessary stability in the region, something particularly important in my view for the efforts Greece has been undertaking to address the fiscal crisis.

But we also took some very specific and important initiatives, starting with “Agenda 2014” for the Balkans, the region of immediate interest to us. I think that it is now well known to everyone around the world, especially within the European Union.

The role that Greece has regained in the Balkans is also proof of the importance that all our partners attribute to Greece’s role in the Balkans. A recent example, if I may add, is the issue of Kosovo, following the release of the ICJ opinion and the immediate invitation and encouragement to Greece on taking up a substantial role and immediately visiting the area. May I remind you that I immediately visited Belgrade and Pristina following the opinion’s issuing.

With regard to the other issue of very immediate concern to us in the Balkan peninsula, the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, I believe that we have achieved really tangible results with the way we handled it over the past 11 months. May I remind you of the point at which we took over: at the time, real pressure was put on Greece, with the Commission being of the view that accession negotiations should start immediately.

The past 11 months have contributed, I think, to a U-turn on this issue. Pressure is no longer put on Greece. In a very convincing manner, we showed to all our partners and the entire international community – and I hope our neighbours – that Greece has the political will to resolve this matter. But we have also stressed the clear framework for the solution that Greece is seeking. This policy and these moves have substantially contributed to changing the climate, as I said, so that pressure is no longer on Greece, as was the case lately; the climate has been completely reversed.

With regard to Turkey, the policy followed by the government is well-known. We seek close cooperation with Turkey, particularly on matters where there are common interests. But this cooperation is taking place within a very clear, well-known framework, which I will stress once again: full respect for international law, full respect for Greece’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights. It is within this clear framework that we are ready to discuss and see how we can develop a closer cooperation with Turkey.

At the same time, we still support Turkey's European perspective with a view to its full accession to the European Union. We have repeatedly said that any ideas about another kind of EU-Turkey relationship are not in Greece’s interest.

Here, allow me to refer also to the referendum recently held in Turkey. We have already publicly stated that it is of course a positive result, which we believe will allow the Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan, to proceed more swiftly and decisively with the necessary reforms in his country. It will allow for the necessary steps to be made towards respect for human and minority rights, respect for international law, respect for good neighbourly relations. But as I said in my first public reaction on the referendum’s outcome, I believe and I hope that this positive result will contribute to more substantial moves being made by Turkey with regard to the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

We believe in this policy of rapprochement and cooperation with Turkey. There are of course ups and downs in this course, these matters are well known; this is nothing new. We have chosen to address calmly all these provocations that we have seen in the past few weeks, but always bearing in mind and having made sure that our sovereign rights are fully consolidated. We think that there is a window of opportunity with Turkey’s current political leadership. We want and are willing to try, but I repeat something we have said many times before: the positive words we have been hearing from Turkey will have to be turned into positive, tangible deeds, which we are looking forward to. It is what we want and we will try – I think that we ought to try – to make the most of this opportunity, but always with carefully examined steps.

With regard to the Cyprus issue, it remains of course Greek foreign policy’s top matter and priority. This is what I tried to put across with my recent visit to Cyprus, my first official visit after taking up office as Minister. I believe it was a very meaningful visit for all the symbolic reasons I mentioned. Let me stress once again Greece’s close cooperation and coordination with Cyprus. On this matter too, I think that we have seen tangible results over the past 11 months. And I want to underscore once again Greece’s full support for President Christofias’s efforts. The Cyprus issue has certainly entered an important, but not straightforward, phase; all of us need to make careful moves, and I think that within this framework, the latest proposals by President Christofias show the necessary direction and they can contribute to the swift resolution of the Cyprus issue. They have our full support – I repeat this once again - and I would like to place particular emphasis here on the proposal of President Christofias about the handing over of Varosia and the opening of the port of Famagusta.

It is a very important element and a very significant proposal, to which the Turkish side should respond positively and I think that it will be an opportunity for Turkey also to show that it means what it says, that it wants to contribute to the swift resolution of the Cyprus issue. So here is an opportunity for Turkey to show that it not only says it with words, but that it means it with deeds and tangible results.

Now a few words on the Middle East. I believe that Greece has regained an active role in this area. We are making the most of our traditional relations of trust with the Arab world and we are also capitalizing on the relations we have developed with Israel, this deepening of our relations. These relations are of strategic importance to Greece. Greece can truly contribute in the most constructive manner to the Middle East issue, which has also entered – as we know – a very interesting new phase.

In closing, let me say that we have been working systematically on a daily basis based on a plan; we took important initiatives and we are already witnessing the first positive results, particularly with regard to our national issues.

We are entering a new phase, if you like, a fruitful era of positive initiatives. We hope that our collocutors on various issues of particular concern to us will respond positively. Once again, let me add, we are ready and well prepared.

Before I give the floor to my fellow Ministers, I would simply like to say a few words about another issue, which I think is of particular importance for the Foreign Ministry and the conduct of our foreign policy. The Foreign Ministry’s organizational issues.

I realize that from a journalist’s point of view they might not be as interesting as the substance of our foreign policy. But I believe that by introducing the necessary changes in the Foreign Ministry’s structure and operation, we can have an even more effective diplomacy, in order to ensure that our Diplomatic Missions, our diplomats and all of the Foreign Ministry’s employees – people who have been working in a very dedicated and efficient manner, for which I am grateful because we have had excellent cooperation these past 11 months and I have seen their dedication to our work – can have the ability to be even more effective in their work.

There are various issues on which we have already started work and preparations. One of these issues is a more effective use of new technologies. What I would like – what we would all like, I think – is to have a “paperless office”. We have already put in operation a new document management system, which makes it easier to keep track of the state-of-play on each and every issue. Our objective is for this network to be operational in all the Ministry’s services, its main offices, but of course its Missions abroad as well.

A second very important issue for me is the Foreign Ministry’s organisational chart. Our objective is to define clearly the tasks of each post at the Foreign Ministry, and to have an objective evaluation of all the employees’ progress. I believe that this will greatly contribute to transparency and meritocracy in the Foreign Ministry’s operation – an issue that I think is of major significance.

Another issue is the rationalisation of the Ministry’s economic management. We will continue our efforts on this matter. But I think that already in this first year of management under the new government, we have seen impressive results in terms of spending cuts at the Foreign Ministry. And I am saying this directly: unfortunately, there have been issues of waste at the Foreign Ministry and the entire public sector, but I think we managed to find some very good, initial solutions.

As regards the Ministry’s extroversion and communication also with public opinion. We are entering a new era on this as well. Our goal is for the Foreign Ministry’s services to the citizen to become less bureaucratic and make better use of new electronic tools.

I don’t want to go into more details about this issue – we don’t have the time – but very good preparation has been made. What I wanted to say at this point is that a new post of Special Secretary will be created at the Foreign Ministry with a specific timeframe of one year. The Special Secretary will take over the preparations for these administrative and organisational changes at the Foreign Ministry. The Secretary will be responsible for implementing a specific plan, of course under the supervision of the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, Ambassador Zeppos. It is a great amount of workload that truly needs someone’s devotion in order to coordinate it and execute it through to the final stages, this is why we made the decision to do this through a Special Secretary. But I stress that this post will have a specific timeframe exclusively for this project. At the moment, I cannot announce the name to you because the posts will simply be covered through an open recruitment process. This is also an invitation to everyone who is interested in this position. And I truly believe that it is an effort that will improve the Ministry’s operation overall and our foreign policy’s efficiency.

And one last thing, also as an announcement. We have all been witnessing the major changes that have happened around the world and obviously also affect Greece. I believe that the time has come to deal with these changes on another level too; analyse them a bit more intensively, examine them. This is why we will set up a Committee that will be responsible for elaborating the new strategic concept of Greece’s foreign policy. This project will also have a specific timeline and it will be participated in by Foreign Ministry officials in close cooperation with academic partners, as well as anyone else who can contribute to this project.

That’s it for my part. Let me now give the floor to Ms. Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou.

Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou: Thank you very much. Good morning to all of you from me too, and let me say that I am looking forward to our good cooperation. Dear Dimitris, let me, first of all, strike a more personal note and say that I am honoured and proud to hold this post. I would like to thank the Minister for his warm reception and the cooperation we have launched.

I am very glad to be taking part in such a creative and strong team, together with Minister Dimitris Droutsas, and my two colleagues, Deputy Ministers Spyros Kouvelis and Dimitris Dollis, particularly at the current time when we are facing important challenges worldwide and particularly on the European level.

The Minister presented earlier the basic framework and our goals, and also made certain realizations which fully stand also on European issues – without any intention for party politics, we should say – that unfortunately over the past few years, our country has lost ground on a European level. It lost and weakened its alliances. Over the past 11 months, thanks to a very systematic effort, the personal effort of the Prime Minister-Foreign Minister himself, and the government’s effort as a whole, we see that this image is being restored, we see that Greece is constantly gaining a stronger voice in European fora.

And this is of course very important at the current time, given that Europe itself has been going through institutional, political and strategic processes over the past decade and we are certainly faced with some new decisions that will define its strategic course and subsequently our country’s position and interests within this framework.

PASOK governments in these past 30 years have shown that in every historical stage of European integration they can combine Greece’s strong presence in European institutions, on the one hand, and safeguard Greece’s interests in the decisions made and the policies conducted. At the same time, they play a decisive role in co-shaping the European Union’s own orientations.

I don't want to run on in this first meeting, I simply want to say that in the second half of this year that has already begun, and in view of the December European Council, important issues are under way, on which we will play an active role.

The Minister already mentioned – and I don’t want to repeat it – the part about the strategic enlargement of the EU and of course our own contribution to these decisions. And here I would like to continue with two other significant issues, which will also be of great interest to us in the coming period. I am referring to the 2020 Strategy for the EU, a follow-up and continuation of the Lisbon strategy which is necessary in this new international, political and economic environment that is taking shape.

There is also the very crucial issue of revising the EU Financial Perspectives, which has been delayed a great deal as you know. The European Commission is expected to submit its White Book in the coming weeks. This will be the precursor to the next big package of Financial Perspectives of immediate interest to our country, of immediate interest to our development and social strategy after 2013, of immediate interest to the future of the EU budget, to the future of cohesion policies at a time of fiscal and economic crisis, of immediate interest to the Common Agricultural Policy, to the development of the new policies we have been supporting. As you know, the Prime Minister has played a leading role on issues of green development and new technologies, but these policies have to be developed at a European level taking into account the issue of regional development and convergence. 

And all this in quite an adverse and differentiated environment, with regard to the possibility of forging alliances around these issues on which we will have the opportunity to have a more structured talk in the coming period. And this is something that we talked about at the National Council on Foreign Policy yesterday, and we will have the opportunity to discuss at the Hellenic Parliament’s competent Committees where we will present a more detailed approach on all these issues.

Finally with regard to our country’s European presence and our European policy, I would like to highlight the importance of mobilising all our forces, something which clearly has to do with dialogue and efforts towards achieving common goals and political consensus with all of the country’s political forces. And concurrently making the most of Greece’s presence in all of the European Union’s institutions, which is already on track, and we need to work in this direction even more, towards our firm cooperation with MEPs of course, and for a mindset and approach based on multi-level alliances.

Because you know very well that in this new differentiated European environment, alliances are no longer a given, as they were in the past. These alliances are being built and developed along with individual policy issues and we will certainly have a significant field to work on in the coming period.

Finally, in this effort for a stronger presence and claiming a creative participation on the European level, I would like to close with this: i.e., that civil society, social partners, all the associations, everyone has a role to play on their own level. This is something that we will particularly work on, given that in this big discussion under way on all the issues I mentioned earlier, it is important to have preparation beforehand on all the abovementioned levels.

That is, when we are talking about development issues, cohesion, the budget, social partners also on the European level have a special role to play.

Thank you once again and let me once again say that I am looking forward to very good cooperation with you.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you very much, Mariliza. Spyros, you have the floor.

Mr. Kouvelis: Good morning from me too. As you know, it is always a great pleasure for me to be able to talk to you and brief you about the work we have been doing on economic diplomacy and development issues.

I would also like to welcome our new Minister, Mr. Dimitris Droutsas, and this opportunity to continue the very good cooperation we have had up to now and also thank him for the support he has given us all this time, these 11 months, to the effort we have been making in order to present an integrated strategy in 2010 coupled with an action plan about what we want to do in order to open up Greek entrepreneurship to countries abroad.

And the truth is we have done a lot of things in these past 11 months.  I will indicatively mention some that I find important. As I had said, we mainly targeted areas around us so we unfolded the programme and our contacts in Arab countries, in Gulf countries, in Maghreb countries, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and we continued of course our existing contacts which are very important: in the Balkans and in the European Union.

At the same time, we pursued and opened doors of cooperation with some significant partners, here I will indicatively mention Russia, the United States and China, partners that are very important to Greece’s external economic relations.

And I think, as I was informed by our competent Directorates, that within one year we had more Joint Interministerial Committees and bilateral contacts on issues of economic policy than at any other time at the Foreign Ministry. All these produced results; let me just indicatively mention that we managed to sign a memorandum with Qatar on setting up a joint Greek-Qatari Commission on economic and investment cooperation, and also the Memorandum of Cooperation on a €3.5 billion investment in the region of Astakos, scheduled to start very soon – we hope at the beginning of 2011 – and create more than 1,500 jobs. I would also like to mention our very important contacts with Libya, where we put on track an entire programme of cooperation in the field of tourism, energy and transport, with Greek – state or private – enterprises taking up significant activities in Libya, and this is very important. 

I would like to mention our overall cooperation with Arab countries, and here I would like to highlight, and ask you to help us promote it, the Greek-Arab Business Forum to be held on 24 September in Athens, which will be participated in by many politicians from Arab countries and a lot of enterprises from our own country as well as Arab countries. Let me also mention our cooperation with Russia, a cooperation we had to relaunch; as a highlight of our effort, I will mention the contacts we had with the country’s political leadership and the President of the Sochi 2014 Olympics Organizing Committee, Mr. Chernyshenko, with whom I will soon set a date for a conference to be held here in Athens in order to allow Greek enterprises to take part in projects preparatory to the 2014 Olympics. I want to stress that this is an opportunity for us to get into the game again, to capitalize on our expertise from the 2004 Olympic Games, which has been dormant up to now. This will allow us to take one step further; let me remind you that the 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro and Greece can have a presence there too.

Let me remind you of the Greek presence in the Black Sea with the Chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization which prioritizes green development. Here, I would like to stress once again that on 26 November 2010, a Meeting of BSEC Foreign Ministers will be held in Thessaloniki, concurrently with a Business Forum, with a view to promoting green technologies, green development, environmental technologies and we think that it provides a very important forum for Greek enterprises to unfold their activities there and let me also stress that there is significant interest.

Finally, a reference to what we have already achieved. I must tell you that our visits to the United States produced significant results. Greece has again become an important economic partner for the US and for the first time, and this is very important, the US side agreed to the repeated calls for years for a bilateral committee on the protection of products of protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI).  This was a very important omission given that there were products bearing the indication made in Greece but produced everywhere else. This is about what we have done to this day.

Now it is important to explain a couple of things about where we are heading from now on. Our goal is to unfold these efforts in certain other fields too. We think it is important to strengthen Greece’s presence in the Balkans. We must not take steps back or allow things to remain unchanged.  So we will put an effort under way for our economic presence and economic cooperation in the Balkans that is fully in line with the 2014 goal, because this also includes broader cooperation and infrastructure projects.

We will unfold our efforts on Asia on selected goals. There are countries that are very important and with which we have very significant trade deficits. In particular, Japan, Korea, and India, but especially Japan and Korea, two very important goals for us and the two countries with which we will start immediately. And of course put on track actions in Africa and Latin America.

Let me also say with regard to economic diplomacy that making the most of this strategy’s further implementation goes through the work we have already done by asking all our Missions abroad to inform us of the quantitative objectives we should pursue in their respective countries. To know what it is we are trying to do, which roads we want to open up. Are we going to forge synergies on good construction products, etc.? We must know, we must define our targets.

This will be done within the month, once we receive the answers to a circular we have sent to them, and then the process will be concluded. Following our evaluation we will come back to a more detailed presentation of this whole programme and at the same time we will see how we incorporate human resources – particularly our Economic and Trade Affairs Bureaus – in order to be able to have a task force exactly where we need it.

We are also talking with trade union representatives and the Bureaus’ association, because all this presupposes good cooperation, that we can listen to their requests and that we can join our forces.

Finally, let me say a couple of things on cultural diplomacy and green diplomacy which I think are two very strong areas to promote the Greek presence. Let me remind you that in the Black Sea, along the priority of green development set by our Chairmanship, this is a very good vehicle to lead member states towards working together. And we hope that now in New York we will have an unofficial lunch of Foreign Ministers in order to be able to table a common position for BSEC countries on climate change issues. I hope I will be in a position to announce that to you when I’m back from New York.

And I think that on cultural diplomacy one need not say many words, how important it is for a country like Greece to put forward its comparative advantages and open doors of cooperation.

In closing, I would like to say a few words on Hellenic AID. Here, as I said, we are planning to introduce sea changes in the way Hellenic Aid works on matters of development cooperation. First of all, we distinguish development cooperation from humanitarian aid. These are two different matters with a different target and outcome. There is no point in confusing the two.

Secondly, we are setting a very high goal by wanting to change the way in which it operates, based on three basic principles. Complete transparency, which means that anything that has been scheduled, anything approved through a specific process, will appear on the internet from the first day so that the public can monitor it until its final stage of completion - so that citizens can know where their money is going. 

The second is effectiveness, so that every euro taken from Greek citizens can be allocated in order to produce results in terms of development; and the third is Greece’s presence. Greece can have a presence there and its presence where it is doing business can be recognized.

This of course means that we must, first of all, limit the fragmentation of all these targets, because today Greece is present in 106 countries, if my memory serves me well, when other countries with a major development programme have much smaller goals, so we must limit that. And secondly, we have to clear up the picture – allow me to use that expression – about who we do business with.

It is not possible for Greece to have a register of 600, perhaps even 800, NGOs, at the time when countries such as Denmark have a register of about 100 such organisations. We must clearly define the criteria in order to know who it is we’re working with. Thank you for your attention.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you very much, Spyros. Let me now give the floor to Dimitris Dollis.

Mr. Dollis: The Greeks who live abroad, second, third and fourth generation Greeks have created a new environment in the countries where they live. I am glad because I come back to the field with which I started upon my return to Greece in 1999.

This field has to do with this other Greece, all those people who have created big things, but live in different parts of the world. What they want from us is respect in the way Greece treats them, making the most of their dynamic, but also capitalizing on and creating a new climate in order for us to be able to use this dynamic, this other Greece in these difficult times that our country is going through.

I want to thank you for our cooperation over the past 10 years in several fields. And I am looking forward to meeting those of you whom I don’t already know. We will discuss the details of matters under my competence in the coming weeks and months.

Ecclesiastical matters, particularly those relating to the Patriarchate, form a major part of the triptych of language-culture-faith of every Greek who lives abroad. These two areas of competence are intertwined and they will be given the necessary attention from us and from the Greek state.

I want to thank Minister Droutsas, Mariliza, and fellow Deputy Minister Kouvelis, with whom we have a lot in common, for their warm welcome. This is a team you know very well. A team which has what it takes. And I believe that in time we will be able to make our contribution to this country too, give our country what it rightfully deserves. Thank you.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you very much, Dimitris. And now your questions, please.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Minister, I wanted to ask this: Whether you believe that Greece, given the current economic straits, should move ahead to exploration processes in areas of the continental shelf south of Crete, Rhodes – in areas where Turkey is not involved and there are rumors and data, indications that there is natural gas.

And second. You mentioned Greek-Turkish issues, and I will turn what you said around. Usually, foreign policy is supported, as far as I know, on deeds and not on words. When do you expect – what is your timeframe for – some deed, a positive move from the Turkish government, and whether this is the lifting of the casus belli.

Mr. Droutsas: With regard to the first question, I think it is obvious that Greece is doing and will do – is utilizing and will utilize – all of the rights deriving from international law, particularly the Law of the Sea.

I don’t think it would be advisable to draw up a clear timeframe – to say a specific date – where Turkey is concerned, but I think that both governments are very much aware of how fast we should move ahead, if we can, with the necessary steps.

The casus belli issue, once again, is unacceptable, particularly in these times, particularly when we are talking about a candidate for EU membership – for there to be something like this toward a member state of the European Union.

This is something that should not even exist, and it is in Turkey’s hands, exclusively, to do what is obvious and necessary. As I have said on many other occasions, the occupation troops in Cyprus are also unacceptable – it is something that is inconceivable in the times we are living in.

It is absurd for a candidate for accession to the European Union to maintain occupation forces on the territory of an EU member state. And this, too, is an obvious move that Turkey should make, and I hope the Turkish side understands what is right and takes the necessary steps.

Mr. Fourlis: Mr. Minister, you say that with Turkey you are making efforts, talking. We see that you meet regularly with Mr. Davutoglu. I also note what you just said regarding the casus belli, the Cyprus issue, etc.

But Mr. Davutoglu – and this may also concern Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou, who will be faced with this – just the day before yesterday in the European Union, at the Gymnich meeting if I am not mistaken, told you straight out that he doesn’t think political questions have any place in Turkey’s accession negotiations with the European Union.

In fact, I think his phrasing this time was perhaps more aggressive that usual. Do you perhaps feel that Mr. Davutoglu is deaf to your words?

Mr. Droutsas: First of all, I didn’t hear any escalation in tone at the Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Ministers.

It was an open debate with Mr. Davutoglu, and I think that precisely this open spirit always has to be there in our discussions, not just bilaterally, but also in the EU’s discussions with Turkey.

Turkey’s accession course is clear. There are clear prerequisites. There are clear obligations that Turkey has undertaken to the European Union, to all of the member states together and individually. And these obligations of Turkey’s must clearly be implemented if we are to have a positive final outcome in the negotiations.

Once again, however, I want to stress that I believe in Turkey’s European accession course. We continue to believe that it is the most effective way for Turkey to implement and to carry out these necessary reforms at home.

That is, for us to see what we call a European Turkey. To see a Turkey that will respect human and minority rights, that will respect international law, good neighbourly relations, all the well-known issues, all of these issues that are prerequisites and obligations of Turkey to the European Union and its member states on the accession course.

Once again, I believe that the recent referendum and the result of the referendum shows that Turkey remains dedicated to this European course, and I believe that the Turkish people, with their votes, showed that they believe in this course. Once again, I want to express the hope that Mr. Erdogan, based on the results of this referendum, will be able to proceed to the right moves at an even faster and more determined pace.

Ms. Peloni: Good morning, Mr. Minister. A question on the same area.

Given that following the referendum there appears to be something of a European euphoria with regard to the reforms in Turkey, and if we assume that new momentum will be created in that direction, have we considered certain possible scenarios?

What do I mean? I mean that the countries friendly to accession – I mean unconditional accession, not countries in our category – are already pressing for the disassociation of political issues, disassociation from the Cyprus issue. What will the whip be – if you will – in that case?

If it is in somewhat disassociated – given that there is an open discussion of the regulation on direct trade, which is being dangled as a threat over the Greek Cypriots – have we looked at some strategy for this? In the past we had Helsinki. Now it looks like it’s getting away from us. What will we do on the Cyprus issue?

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you for your question.

I don’t think there are partners talking about unconditional accession. When we talk about full accession, the obligations I referred to earlier are linked to that full accession. But it is certainly well known that there are voices in the European Union talking about another kind of relationship with Turkey – they don’t want to see full accession. Recently, there have been other voices talking about not losing Turkey – about Turkey not being cut off from Europe. Saying that Turkey is now an major international player and the European Union needs it, so lets look at ways to incorporate Turkey into the policies and strategies the European Union is developing.

Yes, it is a fact that such discussions have been taking place recently. But I believe– and this was my statement in the discussions and this is the position we believe in – that there is only one path for Turkey, only one effective path and, if you will, only one convincing path: the European Union.

And I want to repeat again the clear message for Turkey’s accession course: that Europe is ready to accept Turkey as a full member, on the condition that it meets all the obligations it has undertaken to the European Union, to all the member states; on the condition that it implements these necessary reforms, which will change Turkey in a direction we might call more European. That is our reply and our policy.

Mr. Kalarrytis: Mr. Minister, from your experience of successive meetings with Mr. Davutoglu, and based on your experience of handling Greek-Turkish relations over the past year, do you believe that Turkey – based on the goals it has set, its longstanding strategies, which include revising the map of Greece, as well as on the regional power policy it is unfolding – is prepared to exchange this agenda it has for a European perspective, even if that perspective is full accession? Do you think this interests them – setting aside their regional power aspirations to put on a European blazer?

Mr. Droutsas: I will stand on the words of Mr. Davutoglu himself, which he has said in our discussions and publicly.

And he said it most recently and in a clear manner at the Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, and I think that the result of the referendum and the whole referendum campaign mounted by the governing party in Turkey shows that, yes, the European course – the European strategy for Turkey – remains very high on Turkey’s agenda, and I will rest on that.

Mr. Barakat: Mr. Minister, as we know, Greece has very good relations with the Arab world and respect for Arab citizens. But observers have been saying recently that the opening in Greek-Israeli relations is creating a negative climate in the Arab world’s relations with Greece. What do you have to say on this?

Mr. Droutsas: Once again, I want to stress that this cooperation developed between Greece and Israel is not in opposition to the traditionally close relations of trust between Greece and the Arab world.

This has been expressed to us by the Arab countries themselves: that they don’t see – and none of us should see – these relations and this effort towards an opening between Greece and Israel as competing against Greece’s relations with the Arab world.

Quite the contrary. We are all in the same region. We all need to work for the peace, the stability, of our region. And exactly this policy being exercised by Greece – on the one hand, the traditionally close relations of trust we have developed with the Arab countries, and on the other, this closer cooperation with Israel – gives Greece, once again, a special role in the Middle East region, and Greece can, we hope, contribute towards positive developments in the region.

Once again, these two issues are not in competition. In fact, there are very good synergies here.

Ms. Poulidou: It isn’t clear to me – and I imagine this holds true for my colleagues, as well – what the division of responsibilities amongst you is. Today, for instance, I understood that Mr. Dolis is taking on Church affairs. I didn’t know that.

And is Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou taking on CFSP? I imagine Mr. Kouvelis’s remain as they were. That’s one question.

The second concerns current affairs: The European External Action Service is being created. Yesterday, I read that your Finnish counterpart, Mr. Stubb, stated that we are claiming 12 positions on various levels, we are doing well – nothing has been signed, of course. What statement would you make on the part of Greece regarding this issue?

Mr. Droutsas: With regard to responsibilities, they are very clear. But I would like to stress what to us is the obvious: that cooperation and teamwork are paramount. This is obvious to us. We know each other very well, we have shown in the past, as well, that we can work together very closely, and we will do just that, particularly at a Ministry that handles very sensitive issues: national issues and foreign policy issues.

There is no issue of responsibilities or any difficulties in this area, and I think we will all see this directly and in practice in our day-to-day activities. With regard to the European External Action Service, Greece, too, submitted its own proposals some time ago. It is a time-consuming process, but you will never hear me state publicly what we are pursuing, numbers, etc. – I will not follow my counterpart’s example. Greece will get its full share.

Mr. Athanasopoulos: I wish everyone good luck. I would like to focus on the organogram issue, Mr. Minister. How will this evaluation and description of positions be carried out? You spoke of the establishment of a new position of Special Secretary, which for a specific amount of time will take on and run this project, as you said.

Will this happen in full consultation with the Diplomatic Service? Is there a chance of some assistance from the private sector, and perhaps a company that can operate on these issues and help with this project? That’s one question.

The second question has to do with the FYROM name issue: Are we expecting any development before the upcoming NATO Summit, where, information has it, the issue will be re-tabled? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel on this issue? Thank you very much.

Mr. Droutsas: With regard to the organogram, it is obvious that the administrative leadership of the Foreign Ministry will have the first and final word. And not just the administrative leadership, but also the Foreign Ministry’s personnel. I have already asked and invited all of the representatives of the Foreign Ministry personnel branch associations to contribute their proposals.

There will be this Working Group, of course, and a representative from each branch, so that we can have collective teamwork and look along the way at anything else that might be needed, to contribute with ideas, experiences, proposals.

This is an open process, but it won’t be open-ended in terms of duration. As I said, we want to do this very quickly, and the initial preparations have already been made. And I want to stress again – to avoid any misinterpretations – that the position of Special Secretary, as I stressed from the outset, will be for a specific duration of time, and all of the work will be overseen by the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General.

Simply put, we concluded on this thought, this solution, because there is a great volume of work that required daily dedication – 24 hours a day – and you can see that this isn’t something the current organizational structure of the Ministry could deal with effectively.

Regarding the Skopje name issue, this government has said from the outset that we have the political will for a solution on this issue. We have said what solution would be acceptable to us. This political will continues to exist. I think we have convinced our partners and the international community of the sincerity, seriousness and credibility of our intentions.

Once again, we are here. And we are waiting and hoping for a positive response and the same constructive spirit from our neighbors.

Mr. Pollatos: Mr. Minister, you said that as a result of the policy you have been following for the past 11 months on the Skopje issue, the pressure is no longer on Greece; the climate has been fully reversed. I assume you mean that pressure is being exerted on Skopje and the government of FYROM. Can you tell us what specific information indicates this is the case?

And a second question, if I may: You said that during these 11 months there have been impressive results in the reduction of waste. You can see that the Greek people want to know. In what sectors did you find waste, poor management? And what precisely did you come up against? Perhaps some figures so we can see exactly how much of a reduction in waste has been achieved at the Foreign Ministry.

Mr. Droutsas: I think that anyone can very easily observe the reversal in climate on the name issue. We all remember what we said at the outset, when this government took office – what the situation was. We remember the statements and provocations we had to confront, particularly at the European Council this past December, when the accession course of Skopje was discussed.

Beyond that, however, I think everyone saw, for example, that the issue of the opening of accession negotiations with Skopje was not even raised at the last Council, despite the fact that this had been provided for. I think this is a clear indication that the policy we have exercised has produced the necessary results; it has become clear to everyone that a solution to the name issue must be found if Skopje is to be able to continue on its accession course towards the European Union.

I stress again that this is something Greece wants, pursues and supports. And that is why we, once again, and in the most constructive of manners, confront and extend this invitation to the Skopje side to come and discuss the issue with us within the UN framework, and at long last let’s find a solution that will open up our neighbor’s future towards the European Union. A future that we sincerely want. And we want to see it soon.

Regarding the Foreign Ministry internally and financial management, I will tell you openly that in all areas there is always room for reducing expenditure, for more rational use of the available funds. And it is in precisely this direction that we handled matters, and not just as the political leadership – I want to stress this – but with the very useful assistance and determined assistance of the Diplomatic Service and the other Foreign Ministry personnel.

In fact, very useful proposals came from the Foreign Ministry personnel themselves – proposals on how we can handle this matter – and we will continue in the same spirit to find other areas where we can make more rational use of the funds needed.

Mr. Vitalis: Since the government took office, there has been an effort to improve relations with Turkey: The Prime Minister’s trips and yours and you meetings with Mr. Davutoglu.

I want to ask you whether – from the meetings you have had and your discussions with Mr. Davutoglu and the appraisals you have made to the effect the referendum in Turkey is creating something of a new state of affairs – whether you believe that within this whole climate there is understanding on the part of Turkey that Greece can exercise its right to designate an Exclusive Economic Zone, and where we stand on that issue.

Mr. Droutsas: This is an issue and right of Greece deriving from International Treaties, and Greece will handle this issue based on its own interests.

Mr. Vlavianos: Mr. Minister, I would like to ask whether you consider that on the Cyprus issue – following Dervis Ergoglu’s victory – there is really room for flexibility, I would say, in the negotiations we carry out.

Mr. Droutsas: I will not go into an evaluation of Mr. Eroglu. I will stand on what we have heard publicly and the statements of Mr. Eroglu, as well as on the positions he projects and has projected in the past. I think that anyone who follows these statements and positions expressed by Mr. Eroglu will come to the conclusion that he is echoing positions from the past.

That, if you will, is certainly not the most positive portent of flexibility. But I hope Mr. Eroglu also understands what is in the interests of the Turkish Cypriots, what is in the interests of the whole of Cyprus: a common future in the European Union. And we hope that Mr. Eroglu will realize this and show the necessary flexibility and the necessary constructive manner in the talks being carried out with President Demetris Christofias.

But I think it is clear that Turkey can and must play a substantial role in this. And once again I express the hope that Turkey will play this vital role.

Ms. Kourbela: I would like to ask each of you a question. First, Mr. Minister, I would like to ask you accepted the proposal from the Economic and Trade Affairs personnel to yourself and Mr. Kouvelis for the creation of an independent agency of an interministerial nature, with the participation, that is, of other Ministries, so as to strengthen externalization.

The second question is for Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou. You said regarding EU2020 that it alters the manner in which member states participate in EU funding. Should you perhaps start to raise awareness in Greece that the package for the next 7 years might not be as large and they will have to use the new ways of absorbing funding?

I would like to ask Mr. Kouvelis whether the issue of Libya’s debts to Greek companies has bee dealt with, because I have learned that it is in progress.

I would like to ask Mr. Dollis, given that we are talking about development issues, whether your strategy for attracting investments from Greeks abroad is ready and whether it will be implemented. Thank you.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you very much. Let me say that every constructive proposal – particularly when it has to do with the more effective and positive promotion of Greece’s image – is welcome and will be considered very carefully.

Ms. Xenogiannakopoulou: On the issue of EU2020 and funding, it is clear that there is a change and that is why I referred earlier to interrelations and priorities.

We have already seen this in the financial perspectives in effect right now, and we will naturally see this more intensely in this phase and in the negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy, and, naturally, in the community budget, as well as cohesion.

So, it is a given that our country is going with firm and strong positions. We know that things will require alliances and strong interventions, but we are determined to pursue the continuation of a number of policies that are critical not only to Greece, because we believe in a Europe that has policies for regional development, convergence and a social Europe.

And, of course, in order to capitalize on the potential for the new policies, as we said earlier, but these, too, will have to be developed in a way that closes rather than widens the existing gaps; that helps further convergence and the common growth of Europe.

Mr. Kouvelis: Let me say with regard to the Libyan debts to Greek enterprises that, naturally, I have raised the issue in my communications and visits. We have reached the point where it is being accepted, I think, by the Libyan side that the documented debts are being accepted by the Libyan side, along with the obligation to pay them.

But in addition to this, we raised the issue at the joint committee between the two countries, and here there was considerable pressure from the Greek government to convene very regularly to find a solution as fast as possible, because we think that at a time when we want to develop our cooperation, we cannot have this issue pending.

And let me just add on the issue of coordinating the externalization of the economy, we are working very closely with the collaborating Ministries, because the most fundamental thing is for there to be coordination. A large coordinator of this thing is not necessarily the solution.

Mr. Dollis: The answer is yes. In the run-up to the elections, we talked about upgrading the Secretariat General, about re-examining – after 15 years – the functioning of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, because after so many years, we have to look at how it relates to the new state of affairs.

Greece’s relationship with young generations of Hellenes. Differentiation between Diaspora Hellenism in various places, because the Greek of Europe is not the same as the Greek in Australia, America, Africa: they don’t have the same experiences.

We talked about supporting Patriarchates in non-traditional ways, but in awareness of the thematics and problems. And in general we have talked about a relationship of respect from us towards the other Greece – that of the Diaspora Greek. This will lend great potential to all of those young Greeks who have experience and can contribute to the Greece of tomorrow; to the Greece that we want to create.

Mr. Papathanasiou: Mr. Minister, on the name issue and, as Mr. Athanasopoulos said, activity is expected ahead of the NATO Summit. Do you think that in the intervening time there will be interest from Washington and other international players in a solution, provided a solution remains pending? And in the framework of the meeting you are going to have in New York, will you meet with Mr. Nimetz, Mr. Milososki?

Mr. Droutsas: As I said earlier, the Greek position and will is well known. We don’t want to see the issues with any deadlines, because, once again, Greece’s political will and position is clear. When our neighbors, too, decide that they want to come to the UN negotiating table in a constructive manner and with an open mind, we’ll be there.

Within the framework of the UN General Assembly in New York, I will clearly have meetings with Mr. Nimetz. I don’t know who from Skopje will be at the General Assembly – we’ll see. But everyone is aware of the open manner in which Greece is confronting this issue.

Not only do we have no problem with meeting with and talking to our colleagues from Skopje – we pursue it. We have shown this from the outset with the meetings of the Prime Minister himself, on Greece’s initiative.

We will continue in this open spirit, and we will not allow any statement from Skopje that may be of a somewhat volatile nature influence us.

Once again, our position and will are well known. The constructive manner in which we approach the whole issue is well known, and we will continue in this way.

Mr. Santamouris: My question is this: In the strategic plans concerning energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, could Turkey be included at a later time?

And please allow me to ask another question very briefly. Whether, in your opinion, the Committee that will be set up to re-examine Greece’s foreign policy doctrine should look at the whole range of issues, or just specific areas. Thank you.

Mr. Droutsas: Regarding your first question, once again, Greece will always use its rights deriving from international law – and particularly the Law of the Sea – to achieve the goal of the country’s interests.

Regarding the doctrine issue, of course the whole range will be examined, and I would just like to add something that I omitted earlier on this issue. That in these procedures, these preparations, a very important role will be played by the National Council on Foreign Policy (NCFP). This is an issue that I had the opportunity to discuss yesterday with the members of the NCFP, and I believe all of us left yesterday’s meeting with the impression that the meeting and discussion was a special example of the cooperation and consensus that we can have on the very important issues of foreign policy.

Ms. Matsi: I wanted to ask about the issue of illegal migrants and their readmission to neighboring countries – whether the Ministry’s policy remains the same.

A second, related question: Whether there are fears, in view of the policy being followed right now by France and Italy – mainly with the expulsion of Roma. Whether there are fears of those people coming towards Greece. Thank you very much.

Mr. Droutsas: The main axis of our migration policy is the use of all the tools made available by the European Union. The migration policy issue is not longer just a national issue – it is a clear and very important European issue. Due to our geographical position, this plays and even bigger role. Thus, beyond the bilateral tools we use, we put special emphasis on European migration policy. That is why Greece has taken the necessary initiatives within the framework of the European Union for the immediate promotion of readmission agreements by the European Union.

Regarding the French-Italian issue you raised, you can be sure that all of the necessary measures will be taken so that, whatever the eventuality – and I don’t think this will even be an issue – this will be confronted effectively.

Ms. Tsiblaki: I would like to ask you whether you are inclined to revise the draft law on the vote for Greeks living abroad, given the sensitivity the government has exhibited on another issue, that of the vote for foreigners living and working in Greece.

Mr. Droutsas: I think that is an issue on which the competent Deputy Minister can give you the necessary answer.

Mr. Dollis: The Prime Minister has already said, at various times, that it is an issue that we are looking at with respect, and it is one of the issues we will deal with in the new election law.

Ms. Tsiblaki: Is there some time horizon?

Mr. Dollis: The election law will be presented in Parliament in the coming weeks.

Mr. Berberakis: I want to refer to a new issue, a current issue, since the Minister competent for ecclesiastical affairs is here. A group of Greek and other citizens have scheduled a mass for this Friday at Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul. Whether the Foreign Ministry is aware of this, and whether the Ministry intends to mollify the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is very upset.

Mr. Droutsas: On issues of an ecclesiastical order – particularly on this issue – the competency lies with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with which we are, of course, always in close cooperation and coordination, and I think that all of us need to respect the views expressed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Thank you.