Athens
, 19 February 2010
Journalist: Mr. Minister, Greece’s image has been hit hard lately …
Mr. Droutsas: The way Greece has been referred to lately is exaggerated. We are conscious of the fact that Greece is going through an extremely difficult time; an exceptional situation. As the new government – from the moment we took office – we have worked systematically and seriously to find a way out. We have drawn up a serious Stability Programme, and this is acknowledged by our European partners. Now we will have to see how we can put this particular Programme into practice. And that is what we should be judged on – not on the past.
Journalist: There are many in Germany who argue that Athens lied and deceived us.
Mr. Droutsas: I don’t think such expressions are permissible, and nor should anyone use them. A lot is being said about that time, when, as the PASOK government in 2001, we were preparing to enter the Eurozone. I would like to say that at that time we achieved our entry into the Eurozone in a correct manner.
Journalist: Criticism is being levelled in particular at the cover-up of the financial deficit of 12.7% of GDP. Do you think it is unfair that you should have to deal alone with the problems you inherited from the previous government?
Mr. Droutsas: “Unfair” is not the right word. What is important is for us to focus on today and tomorrow. We want a Greece that can stand on its own feet, and we also want to bring back stability. The measures we are taking are aimed at drastically reducing government expenditures and increasing public revenues. Structural changes are equally important. For example, in Greece at this time – from the central government to the local level – we have five levels of administration. As a bureaucratic structure, this is way too large, with a lot of potential for corruption. Shortly, the Parliament will decide to move ahead with reducing these five levels to three, limiting the number of personnel and leaving no room for corruption.
Journalist: Are you afraid that the EU’s displeasure with Greece will limit your influence in the Union?
Mr. Droutsas: This fact has certainly not made my life as Alternate Foreign Minister any easier. But that doesn’t mean that we are not doing our own work within the EU. We want to move ahead with initiatives in our immediate neighbourhood. We want to put forward a Greece that plays an increase role in the community of states.
For example, there is Agenda 2014 for the Balkans. We want to see the countries of the Balkans joint the EU soon. In 2003, an accession perspective was given to these same states. But the momentum for that perspective has died down today, due to – among other things – the enlargement fatigue felt by many EU member states.
We want to re-table this matter. The EU – as the most successful of peace projects – should step up to its responsibilities to these Balkan states and work to ensure stability and peace in the region.
The year 2014 could be the target-date for the accession of these states. It is a symbolic date: it is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I.
Naturally, these countries will first have to meet all the criteria for EU membership. The bar cannot be lowered. But we should show the countries of the Western Balkans that there is light at the end of the tunnel and tell them to hurry up and take seriously the reforms they have to make.
Journalist: What do you have to say about Kosovo, which Greece has not recognized yet?
Mr. Droutsas: When the Kosovo issue was being discussed, everyone could clearly hear America’s voice and Russia’s voice. What no one could hear was the European Union’s voice. With the prospect of these Balkan countries’ accession, one might have been able to resolve this issue – which is still with us – back then, within the framework of the EU.
Journalist: Where do things stand with the difficult neighbourly relations with Turkey?
Mr. Droutsas: On this too, the government has taken initiatives from the first moment we took office. Prime Ministers Erdogan and Papandreou met and expressed their willingness to cooperate – exactly as in the first period from 1999 to 2004, the “golden era”, if you will, of Greek-Turkish relations. We will discuss many issues, such as, for instance, the consequences of climate change on the Mediterranean.
Journalist: However, there are more pressing problems between you and Turkey than merely climate change. Problems such as national air space and the issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean.
Mr. Droutsas: Yes, but a climate of trust could be created through cooperation in fields such as the economy, culture, and tourism. This makes it easier to touch on the burning issues. At the same time, we want to discuss – through informal exploratory contacts – the burning issue to us, to Greece: the delimitation of the continental shelf in the Aegean. At the beginning of March, following an invitation from Foreign Minister Davutoglu, I will visit Turkey, and this visit will mark the start of this process.
Journalist: Do you see an opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus?
Mr. Droutsas: In our view, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, has not been responding positively to the proposals of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Dimitris Christofias. Unfortunately, we don’t see the progress that we would have liked to see.
Journalist: Most observers are pessimistic. What would a potential failure of talks mean for Turkey's accession perspective?
Mr. Droutsas: As you know, Greece supports Turkey's accession to the European Union. We believe that Turkey will reform itself through the accession process. It is certain that the non-resolution of the Cyprus issue does not contribute positively to the EU-Turkey accession negotiations. But the process is still ongoing. Greece wants to support Turkey, also given our own EU membership experience. But success is up to Turkey itself.
Journalist: What about the conflict regarding the name issue of your neighbouring country, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?
Mr. Droutsas: Our Prime Minister invited his counterpart to a meeting straight after taking up office. We want direct contact with Skopje. We want to remind you of everything that Greece did for this particular country. Up until now, we have been the biggest investor in Skopje and we have created thousands of jobs.
Unfortunately, the government of Skopje has been painting a very negative picture of Greece over the past few years. We want to explain to the neighbouring country's people that Greece is not the enemy. Greece is a friendly country that can become the true supporter of Skopje’s accession perspective in the EU. But before accession negotiations start, the name issue has to be resolved.
Journalist: Many Europeans seem impatient with Athens, thinking that you have been blocking the process due to the dispute on the name.
Mr. Droutsas: Yes, but our own proposal is very simple. The name must have an additional geographical qualifier. And this needs to be done because a small part of Macedonia’s historical area wants to claim representation of the whole region entirely for itself. Greece cannot accept this because the greatest part of this region lies within our own territory. The name on which we agree will naturally have to be used in relation to everyone – erga omnes.