Athens , 20 May 2011

Highlights of Foreign Minister Droutsas’s interview on Real FM, with journalist N. Hatzinikolaou:

·       Greece also needs to send a clear message of credibility, responsibility and determination abroad. And we need to stress, through this message we send abroad, our dedication to the programme we have decided to implement. And it is important that we not lose the credibility we have regained over the past year; credibility gained through the sacrifices of the Greek people. Now, beyond that, we have to look at what helps and what doesn’t help, from what we hear from abroad. And I said that external intervention and advice that is not constructive, that does not help the effort we are making, simply does not help, even if this advice points out the obvious …

·       Agathonisi is Greek. As it the case with every last inch of Greek territory, there is no room for contention, and we do not accept any contentions.

·       Every statement made and action taken by Turkey immediately receives the appropriate response from Greece. Let this be clear. But again, let’s not make our own lives more difficult. Let’s not focus always on statements coming from abroad. We have to focus on what we ourselves are doing and trust what the Greek government itself says – particularly on national issues. Let’s not be tempted to exploit national issues in political machinations that might damage the country’s interests.