Athens , 20 January 2010

Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning. Welcome to the first briefing of the year.

I’ll start with the Ministers’ programmes.

Today at 11:00 – at the Foreign Ministry – Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas will receive the Argentinean Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Jorge Alejandro Mastropietro. As we speak, he is meeting with Azerbaijan’s Ambassador, Mr. Rahman Sahiboglu Mustafayev, and at 12:00 he will receive the Montenegrin Ambassador, Mr. Ivo Armenko.

At 11:30 tomorrow, 21 January, Mr. Droutsas will meet with the President of the Cypriot political party Democratic Rally, Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis, and at 18:00 he will meet at the Foreign Ministry with Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Michael Spindelegger, who is carrying out a visit to our country. Statements will be made following that meeting. The meeting will focus on the European perspective of the Western Balkans. And at 21:00 tomorrow, Mr. Droutsas will host a dinner in Dr. Spindelegger’s honour.

At 11:00 on Friday, 22 January, Mr. Droutsas will brief the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs and the European Affairs Committee – which are convening for a joint session – on the EU accession course of the countries of the Western Balkans.

On Monday, 25 January, Mr. Droutsas will participate in the proceedings of the General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

Barring any additions made by tomorrow’s COREPER meeting, the General Affairs agenda will cover the situation in Haiti, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Iran, Yemen and Afghanistan – ahead of the Afghanistan Conference in London on 28 January and the parallel high-level meeting on provision of assistance to the government of Yemen in confronting terrorism.

On Tuesday, 26 January, Mr. Droutsas will accompany Prime Minister Papandreou to Strasbourg for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Finally, Mr. Droutsas will participate on Thursday, 28 January, in the Conference on Afghanistan, which will take place in London. Our country’s contribution to the international effort is significant, not just on a military level and in training Afghan forces – particularly police forces – but also in terms of humanitarian aid.

The Conference will take place on the level of the Foreign Ministers of countries participating in ISAF and of countries neighbouring Afghanistan. Also invited are international organizations, such as the UN, the EU and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, as well as global economic agencies, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The British Prime Minister will open the proceedings of the Conference.

The Conference will be organized around 5 thematic units:

1.     Security, with emphasis on developing the capability of Afghan forces to take responsibility for the country’s security.

2.     Governance and the examination of measures for confronting corruption.

3.     Economic and social development.

4.     The regional dimension of security and economic development.

5.     Reconciliation and restructuring of the Afghan state.

This is not a “donors” conference. Nor is it for the purpose of raising troops, and it will not focus exclusively on security issues, but is aimed mainly at assessing the international community’s efforts to date and achieving better coordination, particularly in the area of development assistance.

Any journalists who wish to attend will have to apply for accreditation in a timely manner, on the relevant webpage of the UK Foreign Office. We will inform you next week as to whether there will be a media delegation.

As you know, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis accompanied the President of the Republic on his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi. There, Mr. Kouvelis and the Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Mr. Obeid Humeid Al Tayer, signed two agreements of an economic nature.

Mr. Kouvelis has been in Kuwait since yesterday for bilateral talks and the signing of further bilateral economic cooperation agreements, and he will be back in Athens on 22 January.

On Monday, 25 January, Mr. Kouvelis will have meetings at his office with Ambassadors to Greece: at 11:30 he will receive UK Ambassador David Landsman, and at 12:30 he will receive Azerbaijani Ambassador Rahman Sahiboglou Mustafayev.

Your questions, please.

Mr. Hidiroglou: A few weeks ago, Mr. Spokesman, Hellenism witnessed an atrocity in Cyprus, the robbing of the grave of the late president of the Republic of Cyprus, Tasos Papadopoulos.

Immediately afterwards – and without any objective evidence having been found to date – the police authorities in Cyprus targeted certain Greek enlisted men serving with the Cypriot armed forces, without there being any evidence even up to now. We are talking about searching of residences, interrogation and much else.

Have you protested to the Cypriot government regarding the treatment of the Greek enlisted men, who are their to contribute to the security of Cyprus? And Second, does the Foreign Minister consider the Greek enlisted men serving there to be friends or foes of the Republic of Cyprus?

Mr. Delavekouras: Within the framework of the investigations carried out by the Cypriot police, as far as I know, they brought people in and checked certain data and then released them, because it was ascertained that there was no relationship with the particular unacceptable act, which we have condemned, naturally.

Beyond that, there is nothing else. In its investigation, the Cypriot policy are doing what they can to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We hope this will happen soon. This criminal act is unacceptable. It is an insult to every notion of civilization. Finally, I note that it is obvious that the forces in the Republic of Cyprus are there to support it.

Ms. Voudouri: Is there a chance that Alternate Foreign Minister Droutsas will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglou on the margins of the Afghanistan Conference? And if so, what will be on the agenda for that meeting?

Mr. Delavekouras: No meeting has been scheduled yet with the Turkish Foreign Minister, but we have said that the Greek side wants there to be meetings at every opportunity, and in this context I cannot rule out there being a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister on the margins of the Afghanistan meeting, which both of them will be attending.

Ms. Fryssa: I want to ask whether the airplane with humanitarian aid has left for Haiti or – if there are problems – when it will be leaving.

Mr. Delavekouras: The aircraft – in collaboration with the NGOs and the other Ministries that have provided aid – has been ready to depart for two days now. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to secure a landing permit.

It appears that at this time there is a major problem with the flow of flights at Haiti’s airport. We hope we will be able to depart as soon as possible. What we know is that the U.S. side, which has taken over administration of the airport, is currently compiling the offers of assistance and – based on the priorities – regulating the flow of air traffic.

We hope that the aircraft with Greek assistance will be able to depart as soon as possible so that we, too, can get there and help on the ground.

Mr. Meletis: Your reply raises a question: with whom have you communicated regarding the gathering of aid? Because I assume it won’t suffice simply to collect aid here with some NGOs and then inform the Americans that you will transport the specific aid there. Have you conferred with someone?

Mr. Delavekouras: The aircraft that is ready to take off at this time – provided there is a landing permit – is carrying medical supplies.

The collection of these supplies is carried out in Greece, in collaboration with NGOs and the Ministries that can provide help: the Defense Ministry, the Health Ministry.

At the same time, we are in contact with the UN and the U.S. side so that we can ensure that the aircraft will be able to get there as soon as possible – but based on the scheduling and capacity of the airport in Haiti. Aid is being collected all over the world right now, and for that aid to get to Haiti, we have to coordinate things with those who are running the airport.

Mr. Pollatos: In that context, can you explain to us why the Greek rescue team has not been sent? We know from the Defense Ministry that the team has been ready to leave for Haiti since the moment the earthquake happened. Did we state our intention to send the rescue team and meet with refusal; did someone not accept our offer?

Mr. Delavekouras: There is no such issue. The matter we are facing right now is the granting of a permit to land in Haiti. As soon as they can give us the OK, the Greek team will be transported there.

Mr. Fourlis: I would like to change the subject, at least temporarily. Would you like to tell us whether the Greek government or the Foreign Ministry have reacted in any way to what the Bulgarian Prime Minister said in his letter to the European Commission's President, in which he claimed that our country has been violating the fundamental EU freedoms for the movement of goods, persons, etc., given the blocking in recent days of border crossings by Greek farmers who do not allow vehicles from Bulgaria to move?

Are you thinking of taking an initiative? Because from what I understand, Mr. Borisov used strong wording in his letter.

Mr. Delavekouras: We are in contact with the Bulgarian side. We hope that a solution can be found soon on this issue. It is in our interest for vehicles to move unimpeded in our own territory and for there not to be any problems with our neighbouring countries. We hope that this will be feasible as soon as possible. Our contacts with the Bulgarian side are ongoing, we have no communication issues.

Mr. Pollatos: I would like to come back to the issue of Afghanistan. You characterised Greece’s military presence there as “important”. I’m wondering which presence it is you are talking about, since our force is not taken into account by NATO; it is not included in its operational planning and it has not been assigned any missions.

And the question is, what are the political reasons for not withdrawing this force given that it has no mission in Afghanistan but remains in Kabul, where we’ve seen repeated attacks in the last few days etc.?

Mr. Delavekouras: The presence of the Hellenic Composite Battalion in Afghanistan (TESAF) in particular – because it is not just TESAF that is there – is very important. It has provided a very significant service throughout the time it has been there and it continues to do so and for this it has been welcomed by the local community.

Our presence there is also important for Greece’s profile in Afghanistan. The Battalion’s work is important and that is why it remains there, because it has a lot of things to offer still. It produces work. The manner in which NATO takes stock of this presence or not is a different matter.

But this does not negate the Battalion’s substantial presence, which is only a part of our force in Afghanistan.

Mr. Pollatos: If you allow me, I would like to come back to this. I don’t understand what you mean: “the manner in which NATO takes stock or not”. Do you think that this is a procedural or a logistical matter? NATO does not incorporate this force within ISAF, it does not assign missions to it, it does not consider it part of the Allied forces. This Battalion, which numbers 122 members, is under national command in Afghanistan. Why don’t these people return home, given that – contrary to what you said – they do not undertake any missions whatsoever? They remain inside the military camp.

Mr. Delavekouras: Because they still have things to offer. They are continuing their work.

Mr. Pollatos: Could you please explain to us what they have to offer? I don’t understand. NATO does not take them into account. Why don’t they just return?

Mr. Delavekouras: You said this earlier and I already answered. I can answer it again. The presence of the Hellenic Composite Battalion in Afghanistan (TESAF) in Kabul is important. It still has things to offer. That is why it is there. The placemat is an issue that we have to look into. But the substance of the Battalion's presence and what it provides are a fact.

Ms. Ristovska: I wanted to ask a question about the name issue. Do you believe that EU member states are bringing pressure to bear, given several statements made on this issue lately. Do you believe that there is pressure on Greece to resolve this issue as soon as possible? That is one question. And the second question, whether you have any information about a meeting with Mr. Nimetz.

Mr. Delavekouras: There is no pressure. The will is there. There can be no pressure because everyone knows that Greece comes to these negotiations with a constructive spirit. Greece welcomes any initiative moving in the direction of encouraging the FYROM leadership to finally come to negotiations within the framework of the United Nations with a constructive stance in order for a solution to be reached.

I hope this happens. We welcome the help of anyone who can help towards a solution. This is Greece's message and this what we hope will happen.

Ms. Ristovska: About the meeting with Mr. Nimetz?

Mr. Delavekouras: I don’t have anything to announce at the moment.

Mr. Fourlis: I wanted to ask you whether you could be a bit more precise given the answer you gave me very carefully before, in which you said that we are in constant contact. Can you be a bit more precise? What do you mean by contact?

Mr. Delavekouras: With the Bulgarian side?

Mr. Fourlis: With whom do we communicate and what do we tell them? Bear with me please. I mean, let me understand, what is the message we are sending? Because they sent us a very tough message.

Mr. Delavekouras: There are interministerial contacts, there are Councils held within the framework of the European Union, we have an Embassy there, they have an Embassy here; we’re talking.

Mr. Fourlis: And what are you telling them? They – the government – made a very specific complaint arguing that their products cannot move freely for hours and this is a violation of the European Treaty. What are we telling them?

Mr. Delavekouras: At the moment, we have an objective problem. We are hoping that it will be resolved as soon as possible in order for vehicles to circulate freely on Greek roads.

Mr. Berberakis: Mr. Spokesman, do you have anything new regarding the reply to Mr. Erdogan?

Mr. Delavekouras: As the Prime Minister said the day before yesterday, the letter will be delivered in the coming days. There have been contacts between Greece and Turkey recently: there has been a meeting with Mr. Bagis, there has been a meeting with Mr. Davutoglou. Greece – as we have said – wants to take the initiative and see progress being made in relations with Turkey.

A letter will soon be sent in which the Greek Prime Minister has announced he will invite his Turkish counterpart to visit Greece at some point in the coming months. This is where we stand at the moment.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Regarding the counter-memorial Greece submitted in the case of FYROM’s application before the ICJ: Do you think that turning this matter into a judicial battle between two countries, Greece and FYROM, undermines the ongoing process within the framework of the UN for a mutually acceptable solution? And secondly, what are the reasons behind Greece’s refusal to withdraw from the 1995 Interim Accord, which has expired anyway?

Mr. Delavekouras: Skopje initiated proceedings in November 2008. From the very outset, we stressed that this move was more politically motivated than legally motivated. Particularly coming from a country and a specific government that blatantly violates the Interim Accord with moves that it makes constantly.

In fact, this move is very likely to have domestic political motives as well, given that from early on – through the press – the impression was given that it is a reaction to the unanimous decision taken by the North Atlantic Council on the level of heads of state in April 2008.

Greece has maintained a very responsible stance. We approach the judicial process that is underway with great seriousness. Greece’s arguments are strong. And it is with these arguments that Greece is coming to the process.

At this stage, the written procedure is confidential in nature, and that is why I cannot make further comments. Beyond that, we are participating in the procedure; we are participating responsibly, with strong arguments, and we will await the result.

As for the Interim Accord, it remains in force and Greece honors the agreements that it has concluded.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Whether it undermines the negotiation process.

Mr. Delavekouras: This application? The negotiations within the framework of the United Nations are under way. It is an independent process. The issue is not so much about whether the judicial process itself could have an impact on the political negotiation process, but the stance with which the other side is coming to these negotiations.

At no stage have they given an indication of their willingness to move forward. Greece’s message is positive. The message we are sending is crystal clear. We want to reach a solution. It is up to Mr. Gruevski to take the necessary steps in order for us to reach a mutually acceptable compromise.

Mr. Caka: In Albania, there is talk of the census, whether ID cards should mention religious beliefs, something which is supported by the Greek minority. What is Greece’s stance, given that Greece has removed the mention of religion on its national ID cards? Is it in favour of the Greek minority or against it?

Mr. Delavekouras: The latest census that was carried out in Albania was in 2001. It has been pointed out in European texts, such as the latest Commission Progress Report on Albania, that there is a need for a new census, which we understand will be carried out in 2011. From what we know, the competent commission has now finalized the questions to be posed to the participants.

This is a positive development, an important development, but even more important is what we expect to see; i.e., a census carried out in an objective, substantial manner so that it reflects reality. We are ready to help with anything in order for this effort to be successful.

Mr. Papathanassiou: As part of the U.S. visa waiver process, are there new issues that have come up? Do we have an idea as to when obstacles will be overcome and when the process will be ready to be signed on?

Mr. Delavekouras: According to the information we have from the U.S. side, this process has essentially been completed and formal finalization is all that remains.

Ms. Galonaki: There has been mention of a visit to the U.S. around February and of a possible ceremony. Is this the case?

Mr. Delavekouras: No visit to the U.S. has been planned yet. There will of course be a visit in the coming period, but I have no finalized dates to announce.

Are there any further question? Thank you very much.