Athens , 21 October 2010

Main points:

[On the recent tour of the Middle East:]

·       Yesterday evening, we completed a four-day tour of countries of the Middle East. Visits were carried out, as we said, to Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Egypt and Lebanon. One of the main conclusions from these high-level meetings is precisely that Greece is in a unique position at this time, because it is an EU country that is also a country of the region, with a very good perspective on the sensitivities and equilibrium in our region.

·       This is the context for the Foreign Minister’s intention to name a special envoy, who will handle the whole region – the Middle East – in all its dimensions.

·       Another goal is to strengthen even further Greece’s institutional cooperation with the Arab League. This was discussed in Mr. Droutsas’s meeting with the League’s Secretary General, and both sides believe that it would be particularly useful for us to have even better contact.

[On the “TA NEA” daily report regarding the meeting between the Ministry’s SG and Turkey’s Deputy FM:]

·       There are no secret negotiations.

·       As for the meeting of the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, I should tell you that when the High-level Cooperation Council took place between the two countries, one of the agreements we signed was an agreement on regular consultations on the level of the Secretaries General of the two Foreign Ministries.

·       It is precisely within this framework that the meetings between the two Secretaries General have taken place. Whether or not Turkey will raise the well-known positions we are all aware of is not a matter that Greece has any reason to avoid or fear. Our positions are crystal clear. Turkey knows these positions. We repeat them at every opportunity and they are fully in effect.

·       If at some point Turkey decides that it will implement international law, as it should do, then it is obvious that the tension that exists will stop, and this will naturally have a beneficial effect within the framework of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

·       But it needs to be clear that as long as these practices and this conduct continue, there will be no normalization of Greek-Turkish relations, and it is also clear that this conduct will impact Turkey’s EU accession process.

·       Just as it needs to be clear that Turkey’s communication policy mustn’t end up as applied policy in Greece. The fact that the Turkish Prime Minister or any other Turkish official chooses to make statements, make references, raise issues, doesn’t mean that Greece accepts them; doesn’t mean that Greece is backing down from its positions. And it doesn’t mean that Greece is not defending its interests as defined by international law.

[On FYROM:]

·       Our position is that it is good for the two Prime Ministers to meet on any given occasion. This is why we were disappointed when Mr. Gruevski decided not to come to New York as initially announced. We hoped that it would be an opportunity for the two leaders to have another meeting, precisely creating the conditions for a better climate in order for us to be able to reach a solution through the UN process.

·       [With regard to today's meeting with Mr. Rasmussen…] On the name issue of FYROM, NATO has taken a clear position in Bucharest which fully stands and is unanimous, so I think that this defines things, but it cannot be ruled out that in the talks we will have, we will once again discuss our sincere wish and – certainly the NATO Secretary General’s too – to see swift progress to resolve the name issue, something which will, of course, open the way for FYROM to be able to join the Alliance and start negotiations with the European Union.

Full transcript of the briefing (translation):

Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning. I’ll start with the programmes of the political leadership.

This afternoon at 13:00, Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas will meet with the Secretary General of NATO, who is visiting our country within the framework of the preparations for the Portugal Summit Meeting on 19 and 20 November. After their meeting, they will make statements to the news media, followed by a working luncheon hosted by Mr. Droutsas and Greece’s Defence Minister for the Secretary General, and then there will be a meeting with the Prime Minister.

During the luncheon, they will discuss NATO’s new Strategic Concept, which is to be adopted at the Summit Meeting, as well as other issues the Alliance is dealing with, including the development of an anti-missile defence system, NATO-Russia relations and NATO’s relations with other organizations, like the UN, the EU and the OSCE.

This evening, Mr. Droutsas will host a private dinner for the Turkish Foreign Minister, who will be accompanying the Turkish Prime Minister to Athens within the framework of the international Climate Change Conference taking place here in Athens.

Tomorrow, Foreign Minister Droutsas will participate in the proceedings of the international conference, which will be taking place at the Asteras Hotel, and he will also participate in the Prime Minister’s meetings with counterparts participating in the Conference.

There are to be meetings with the Prime Ministers of Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Malta, and there might be other meetings, but the programme has not yet been finalized.

On Sunday, 24 October, Mr. Droutsas will participate in a dinner being hosted by European Council President Rompuy regarding preparations for the European Council that will take place in Brussels on 28 and 29 October.

The following day, Mr. Droutsas and Alternate Foreign Minister Xenogiannakopoulou will participate in the proceedings of the General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils.

The Foreign Affairs Council will focus on preparations for the EU-U.S. Summit Meeting, the EU-Ukraine Meeting, the prospects for holding the Union for the Mediterranean Meeting, relations with Cuba and Georgia, the Middle East peace process and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

And preparations for the European Council are on the General Affairs Council agenda.

On Wednesday, 27 October, Mr. Droutsas will attend and event being hosted by the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic and Historical Archive Department, marking the 70^th anniversary of the “No” (Ohi Day).

The event will include a screening of the film “Heroes fight like Greeks”, which the Diplomatic and Historical Archive Department has put together from historical documents from the Foreign Ministry’s film archive.

The screening will be followed by the opening of a photo exhibit on the ground floor of the Foreign Ministry’s building at 1 Akadimias St.. The exhibit will also include documents, memorabilia and other items related to the period of the Second World War.

Later the same day, Mr. Droutsas will meeting with the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, who will be carrying out a visit to our country, and on Thursday and Friday, 28 and 29 October, Mr. Droutsas will accompany the Prime Minister to the European Council in Brussels.

The European council will look at the preparation of European positions ahead of the Group of 20 Meeting that will take place in Seoul on 11 and 12 November, preparations for the Climate Change Conference in Cancun, and EU-U.S. relations.

On to Deputy Foreign Minister Kouvelis’s programme. At 15:30 today, he will receive the BoD of the Greek-Russian Association. The meeting will be used to explore investment prospects and the further strengthening of business and trade relations.

On Friday, 22 October, Mr. Kouvelis will participate in the Climate Change Conference, which he will address at 14:00.

On Monday, 25 October, Mr. Kouvelis will be in Ankara to attend the Greek-Turkish Joint Interministerial Committee, and on Tuesday, 26 October, he will attend a business forum being held in Istanbul.

I would also like to inform you that on Wednesday, 27 October, Foreign Ministry Secretary General Alexis Zepos will travel to New Delhi, where, within the framework of annual Greek-Indian consultations, he will exchange views with Indian officials on bilateral, regional and international issues.

He will also be received by the Indian Foreign Minister, to whom he will convey an invitation from Foreign Minister Droutsas to visit to our country.

During his stay in India, Mr. Zepos will have meetings with business leaders in Bombay with the aim of exploring the potential for further promotion of Greek-Indian economic and trade relations, the attraction of investments, the strengthening of tourist flows to our country, and the establishment of a direct flight linking the two countries.

That’s it for the programme. Your questions, please.

Ms. Bekatorou: Do we have Mr. Erdogan’s programme?

Mr. Delavekouras: The meeting with the Greek Prime Minister is set for 12:00 tomorrow. Beyond that, he will be participating in the proceedings of the Conference and he will also have a private programme.

Ms. Kolliopoulou: (off microphone, concerning Mr. Erdogan’s itinerary)

Mr. Delavekouras: This afternoon – I don’t know the precise time – he will be arriving and, as I said, on arrival, as far as I know – this will be announced by the Prime Minister’s office – there will be a private dinner hosted by the Greek Prime Minister for the Turkish Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister will host a private dinner for Mr. Davutoglu, who will be accompanying Mr. Erdogan.

Ms. Kolliopoulou: On the same question, do you know if there will be …

Mr. Delavekouras: The Prime Minister’s complete programme will be announced by the Prime Minister’s office.

Mr. Santamouris: This morning, we heard Mr. Droutsas announce the creation of a position of Greek special envoy to Israel or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I didn’t understand exactly. Some clarifications, if you would.

And a second question. Has the person for the post been chosen?

Mr. Delavekouras: Yesterday evening, we completed a four-day tour of countries of the Middle East. Visits were carried out, as we said, to Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Egypt and Lebanon. One of the main conclusions from these high-level meetings is precisely that Greece is in a unique position at this time, because it is an EU country that is also a country of the region, with a very good perspective on the sensitivities and equilibrium in our region.

That is why it is very important that Greece be able to listen to the sensitivities of the region and convey them to the European Union, so that the positions formulated – the EU’s common positions on the Middle East issue – are more productive, more effective, which will give the European Union a larger role in the Middle East.

This is the context for the Foreign Minister’s intention to name a special envoy, who will handle the whole region – the Middle East – in all its dimensions.

The objective is for Greece to have a more frequent presence on the regional level. Another goal is to strengthen even further Greece’s institutional cooperation with the Arab League. This was discussed in Mr. Droutsas’s meeting with the League’s Secretary General, and both sides believe that it would be particularly useful for us to have even better contact.

As for the post of special envoy, it will supplement Greece’s bilateral presence – the Embassies we have in these countries – but will approach the issue in its regional dimension. The special envoy has not yet been chosen.

Mr. Meletis: Did notification from Qatar that the Astakos investment is being cancelled come through diplomatic channels, as requested by Mr. Kouvelis? And if so, when did it come? Did it come via the Greek Ambassador there? From Qatar’s Ambassador to Athens? The exact date, please.

Mr. Delavekouras: It was received on Monday, 18 October, through diplomatic channels: via our Embassy in Doha.

Ms. Kourbela: Regarding the special envoy. Will they be in collaboration with the High Representative?

The other question is, is there a possibility of Israel’s asking to join the European Union?

Mr. Delavekouras: Regarding your first question, I said envoy, but we’ll see. The post has not been created yet, so when it is, we will say what the precise title will be. As for Israel’s relationship with the EU, no such issue has been raised – at least not to date.

Ms. Malsang: (off microphone) … will there be any announcement on the outcome of the exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey tomorrow?

Mr. Delavekouras: On the issue of the delimitation of the continental shelf, there is a specific process that is under way. It has been under way for a number of years, but recently, with clear political will from the two countries, these talks have been intensified, the exploratory contacts. The subject of these talks is the delimitation of the continental shelf between the two countries. These meetings are carried out by the appointed representatives of the two countries, and they are not carried out on the level of Prime Ministers or Foreign Ministers.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, in the Foreign Ministry’s assessment, what is the source of the tension in the Aegean?

Mr. Delavekouras: The source of the tension in the Aegean is the unlawful conduct of Turkey, which is essentially presenting a series of claims and calling into question the legal framework that exists, as disputes. We don’t want this tension, and we believe that it needs to stop. The surest way to stop it is for Turkey’s conduct to change, and that is why we have made it clear that there is no question of the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations if Turkey’s conduct does not change. The best way for us to get there is respect for international law.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, you see why I started with that. I just want to ask: On whose authority, and in what capacity, does a representative of the Foreign Ministry negotiate Greek sovereign rights with Turkey, considering and legitimizing Turkey’s questioning of Greek sovereignty, because when one talks of violations, the violation, as you said, is a violation of international law, and that is the source of the evil. When we talk about how these violations can become more moderate, what else is the discussion of sovereign rights? Thank you.

Mr. Delavekouras: I assume you are referring to the leak we saw today in the Athens daily “Ta Nea”; the leak of a Foreign Ministry document. Let me say on this …

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone)

Mr. Delavekouras: Obviously, this will be investigated. It is unacceptable that it should happen. It makes it clear that there are people in positions of responsibility who don’t respect the position they have, and that is why the matter will be investigated in depth, and I hope the person responsible is found.

Beyond that, however, let’s get to the substance of the matter. You raise certain issues that you essentially present in a manner that follows certain stereotypes that we have seen for so many years. Nor is there any secret negotiation going on.

I want to say that this kind of thinking – like the title of today’s news item – is reminiscent of stereotype thinking that exists with regard to secret negotiations – essentially Turkish blackmail that Greece gives in to.

I want to be very clear on this. No such thing is happening – this is not the reality of the situation. We have a specific situation, we have a neighbour who, violating international law, creates tension in our region.

In our view, this tension is inadmissible and has to stop, and we are prepared to explore ways to allow this conduct to stop.

The surest way, as I said, is the implementation of international law, and this is the way Turkey must go. Beyond that, Greece has no reason to fear discussing anything, provided there is full respect for sovereign rights, international law and the interests of our country, and this is obvious and always the case, and you should have no doubt about that. So there is no reason for us to try to create impressions.

As for the meeting of the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, I should tell you that when the High-level Cooperation Council took place between the two countries, one of the agreements we signed was an agreement on regular consultations on the level of the Secretaries General of the two Foreign Ministries.

It is precisely within this framework that the meetings between the two Secretaries General have taken place. Whether or not Turkey will raise the well-known positions we are all aware of is not a matter that Greece has any reason to avoid or fear. Our positions are crystal clear. Turkey knows these positions. We repeat them at every opportunity and they are fully in effect.

If at some point Turkey decides that it will implement international law, as it should do, then it is obvious that the tension that exists will stop, and this will naturally have a beneficial effect within the framework of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

But it needs to be clear that as long as these practices and this conduct continue, there will be no normalization of Greek-Turkish relations, and it is also clear that this conduct will impact Turkey’s EU accession process.

Mr. Vlavianos: I will follow up my colleague’s question, and I want to ask this: If the document isn’t fake, this means that there are discussions going on that we are not informed about, so we have every reason to talk of secret consultations. That’s all I want to say.

Mr. Delavekouras: I repeat: I will naturally not comment on a highly classified Foreign Ministry document. I will just repeat that I think it is unacceptable that such leaks occur. Beyond that, however, it also needs to be clear that at a meeting between two Secretaries General, anything can be discussed. Turkey may set out its views.

This doesn’t mean that Greece has anything to fear from sitting down to talk. Do we lack positions? Greece’s positions are very strong and are based on international law. This is something Turkey cannot say. That is Greece’s high card, and we have nothing to fear. If Turkey wants us to achieve normalization of our relations, there is a clear path: international law. If Turkey doesn’t want that, we are capable of answering to that as well.

Beyond that, however, we want to improve these relations, and that is what we are working towards, but without any reason to fear anything, and this needs to be clear.

Just as it needs to be clear that Turkey’s communication policy mustn’t end up as applied policy in Greece. The fact that the Turkish Prime Minister or any other Turkish official chooses to make statements, make references, raise issues, doesn’t mean that Greece accepts them; doesn’t mean that Greece is backing down from its positions. And it doesn’t mean that Greece is not defending its interests as defined by international law.

We are taking very cautious steps. We are moving at a pace of our choosing. Our goal is the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations, because this is to the benefit of our country, first and foremost, but be well aware that we will not be afraid of discussing anything. Our positions are very, very strong.

Mr. Fourlis: If we have nothing to fear, why were we afraid to announce this meeting? When you announce all of the meetings. I can tell you dozens, hundreds of Foreign Ministry announcements with meetings of Secretaries General, Political Directors, beyond the exploratory contacts, and, naturally, the meetings of the political leadership. Why wasn’t this meeting announced. And, by the by, reading the item in “Ta Nea” I understand that it is not just one meeting, but that there was another meeting on the ministry level, where they exchanged documents with the positions of the two sides. Is that the case, or do you deny it? Because it is a second meeting.

Mr. Delavekouras: The Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry has met, I don’t remember how many times, with the Secretary General of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. To date, we have not announced the meetings of the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry. You will not find an announcement of the Secretary General’s programme.

But I understand the interest in the meetings he has, and for that reason, today, for example, I announced his trip to India. From here on in, the Secretary General’s programme will also be announced.

Mr. Fourlis: (off microphone) (question concerning the Secretary General’s meeting with the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister)

Mr. Delavekouras: There is no exchange of documents with the positions of the two sides. Greece has not presented such a document to the Turkish side. This needs to be absolutely clear. There is no such issue.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, as you also personally represent the continuity of the Foreign Ministry, given that you also headed the press office under the previous leadership, I wanted to ask whether you have been informed of the reasons why the previous leadership of the Foreign Ministry refused for two years to discuss and to consider as a basis for discussion the code of conduct proposed persistently by Turkey.

Mr. Delavekouras: You are talking about a document the existence of which I cannot confirm for you.

Mr. Meletis: Why don’t you ask Mr. Zepos to tell you why he discussed it with the Turks?

Mr. Delavekouras: I repeat that we have no reason to fear anything. Turkey’s presenting its positions in writing, orally or in any other way it chooses does not mean, in any way, that Greece has reason to fear discussing or setting out its positions. We set these positions out constantly, just as the Turkish positions you are describing have been set out and are well known.

Mr. Meletis: As you fear nothing, Mr. Spokesman, does that mean you are in dialogue regarding the grey zones? This: Has there been a dialogue on the code of conduct?

Mr. Delavekouras: The legal framework in the Aegean is very clear.

Mr. Meletis: To you. It isn’t to the Turks. Are you discussing this with the Turks, Mr. Spokesman?

Mr. Delavekouras: The Turks can set out their positions as many times as they like.

Mr. Pollatos: Do you deny the confidential document of the Foreign Ministry? Will there be an investigation? Why carry out an investigation into a document that doesn’t exist? You said that there will be an investigation into the leaked confidential document.

Mr. Delavekouras: Yes.

Mr. Pollatos: Is this document non-existent? Please, you are addressing people here who have some intelligence.

Mr. Delavekouras: If you want to interpret the interpretation in the article regarding a Foreign Ministry document, you may do so.

Mr. Pollatos: I’m not interpreting. The code of conduct – which two Greek governments have refused to discuss – was discussed by Mr. Zepos and his Turkish counterpart and you are not afraid. Will you answer me regarding the grey zones? Did you discuss them?

Mr. Delavekouras: Of course I’ll answer you. Greece’s positions are strong and are based on international law. Turkey can say whatever it wants. This doesn’t mean that Greece has to accept it or that Greece is opening negotiations or anything else.

When Turkey states its positions, that is Turkey’s problem. How Greece answers is Greece’s problem, and Greece answers with clear positions in every case where there is something that bears on the sovereign rights or legal rights of Greece. This needs to be absolutely clear.

So your attempt to present the Foreign Ministry as doing otherwise is void and unfounded. The stereotype you are projecting does not exist: that we are supposedly carrying out secret negotiations. That is not the case.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. Delavekouras: There is no point in that, because neither of them is heard. I think what I am saying is clear: There are no secret negotiations. Nor does Greece have any reason not to put its positions forward; to state its positions clearly – positions based on international law.

If Turkey – in a meeting or an interview or anywhere else – wants to promote its positions – positions that conflict with international law – it may do so. This doesn’t mean that we will accept them, and it doesn’t mean that we will enter into negotiations.

Beyond that, yes, we don’t want there to be tension, yes, we want to improve our relations with Turkey. If this can be achieved through a discussion during which Turkey will say it acknowledges what is in effect under international law, that will be very welcome. We hope it happens. As long as this conduct continues on the part of Turkey, it is not going to happen, but Greece’s positions are clear and Greece has nothing to fear.

Mr. Pollatos: Will the investigation be carried out by the Greek Police, as was the case with the “hacking” of the Alternate Minister’s announcement, or will it be carried out by the Foreign Ministry?

Mr. Delavekouras: A sworn administrative investigation is carried out by the Foreign Ministry.

Mr. Pollatos: So the document is genuine?

Mr. Delavekouras: Again, the leak will be investigated.

Mr. Pollatos: I didn’t ask about the leak. I asked whether the document is genuine.

Mr. Delavekouras: The sworn administrative investigation concerns the leak. Beyond that, we have a news item that presents certain things. As I said earlier to Mr. Vlavianos, under no circumstances will I start commenting on a highly classified Foreign Ministry document.

Mr. Pollatos: Fine. You also said that you have no problem – you have no reason to fear discussing anything. And I ask specifically: Do you discuss everything? Is there no issue that is non-negotiable? Whether in the negotiation, Turkey …

Mr. Delavekouras: Don’t try to create a sensation. Discussions are one thing, negotiations are another.

Mr. Pollatos: I ask this: You said that the government has nothing to fear from discussing whatever. Does this mean that we discuss everything, with no taboos? Are there non-negotiable issues? Yes or no?

Mr. Delavekouras: A meeting is one thing, a discussion in one thing, and negotiations are another. Greece does not negotiate its sovereign rights, it does not negotiate its sovereignty, but its says in an absolutely clear manner what its positions are. These positions are strong and are based on international law.

Beyond that, whether Turkey questions anything is Turkey’s problem. Our positions are strong and the legal status is clear. If Turkey – as its political leadership, from Prime Minister to Foreign Ministry officials, states at every opportunity – really wants to improve relations between the two countries, it must conduct itself correspondingly, otherwise we will not be able to move ahead.

But this in no way bears upon our very clear positions. And I ask you once again not to cultivate this stereotype.

Greece has nothing to fear. Its positions are very strong. Beyond that, for the Turkish side to put something in a statement or an interview or a document doesn’t mean that suddenly it is under negotiation; it doesn’t mean that we are backing down. It doesn’t mean that we are carrying out secret negotiations. It doesn’t mean any of that.

And that is why it is important not to cultivate the stereotype to the contrary. Because that is what is happening.

Mr. Pollatos: You also said that the meeting between the two Secretaries General took place under one of the agreements signed on 14 May, during Erdogan’s previous visit to Athens. So I assume that these meetings will continue to take place.

Mr. Delavekouras: Certainly.

Mr. Pollatos: Do you deny reports claiming the Prime Minister ordered the freezing of meetings on air transport issues and that these meetings will stop. Do we exercise a veto on these particular issues? Are we discussing these issues on the basis of the agenda set by Turkey? Have we stopped discussing them? Are we saying: we are discussing everything apart from those issues? Please clarify.

Mr. Delavekouras: The subject of the meetings between Secretaries General is not air transport issues. These are political consultations between two Foreign Ministries and they will of course continue to be held.

They are included in the same grid of meetings established between Foreign Ministers, Prime Ministers, in the grid of the High-level Cooperation Council.

We have made a decision for more frequent talks between the two Foreign Ministries, at the level of officials, regarding a host of issues, bilateral relations and regional matters, as well as horizontal international issues.

And it is within this framework that the meeting between our Ministry’s Secretary General and the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General was held.

Beyond that, we do not want to have any tension in the Aegean and this is why we have no problem discussing anything.

Mr. Pollatos: Mr. Erdogan wants it too.

Mr. Delavekouras: Fine, since he wants it, then his country must change its conduct, that is what we are saying. Our wish is for there not to be any tension. And we are very glad to see that the Turkish leadership states at every given opportunity that they do not want tension.

For today’s reality to change, however, Turkey’s behaviour must change first, there is no other way. That means, whenever we hear nice words, these words must be turned into deeds. But Greece has no problem and no reason to be afraid. This reasoning, i.e., that when Turkey says something, Greece must suddenly hide or be scared, the idea that we have lost our rights or relinquished our positions, does not stand. It only exists as a stereotype and it is a bad stereotype.

Since we are ready to discuss anything on the basis of international law, if the other side comes and tells us a series of things that are outside international law, then they are obviously not a basis for discussion.

Mr. Pollatos: So has the Turkish side put issues on the table which are outside international law?

Mr. Delavekouras: I told you before, I do not want to comment on the content of this document. I am not, in any case, going to comment on a highly classified document. But Turkey’s positions on all these matters are very well known. No Turkish official has missed out on an opportunity to present them, they have been systematically doing that through interviews, positions, speeches; we know them.

Beyond that, we keep the political message that clearly comes out from the Turkish side – the wish to improve relations – and what we are saying is very simple.

Mr. Pollatos: Excuse me, but this is contradictory.

Mr. Delavekouras: That is precisely what we are saying. But don’t tell me what I am saying – let me say it.

It is contradictory: you cannot want to improve relations while, at the same time, you violate international law. That is precisely what we are saying. Turkey must change its deeds, not its words.

Mr. Meletis: I’m sorry, are you exercising policy on the basis of words or deeds?

Mr. Delavekouras: Both.

Mr. Meletis: But you are focusing on words and ignoring deeds at the moment.

Mr. Delavekouras: No, absolutely not, there has not been an occasion where there has not been a diplomatic or operational response on the part of Greece to any Turkish act which violates international law. Be absolutely certain of that. In any event, our positions are clear and they have been noted by officials and diplomats everywhere and on every given occasion.

Mr. Meletis: Because I have used too much of your time and this will be my last intervention. My question is the following: Because you are saying that we have no problem with people saying whatever they want in a statement and we are not afraid and so on. There is something else going on here. There was a meeting between high-level officials of the two countries and these issues were raised there.

And I wanted to ask, what is the subject of the meeting where these issues have been raised? Why was there a meeting held between Mr. Zepos and Mr. Sinirlioglu, where these issues were raised? Was there another issue and Turkey cunningly raised these matters or did they indeed have orders from their Prime Ministers to discuss reducing tensions in the Aegean? Was there a discussion on reducing tensions in the Aegean? That is what I’m asking.

Mr. Delavekouras: I am saying to you again, we want there not to be any tension in the Aegean. Our two Prime Ministers have said that they want there not to be any tension in the Aegean, we are ready to discuss anything that might lead to having no tension in the Aegean, but this will be done on the basis of rights and sovereignty and international law.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Let me ask you something. Would it not be better to interrupt for a while and have Mr. Zepos come to answer a few questions?

Mr. Delavekouras: No.

Mr. Santamouris: Mr. Spokesman, a country’s sovereign rights are partly defined and protected by international law with great clarity. But there are also certain other issues which are regulated by lesser legal instruments, which are also disputed by Turkey with regard to the Aegean.

Do Greek positions change in this field? That is, anything that is not included in international law as such and included in the agenda of Turkey’s claims results in a change in Greek positions or do we simply stick to the matters that are clearly addressed by international law? Because there have been claims which you know are also outside international law, military agreements, etc.

Mr. Delavekouras: Greece’s positions do not change on anything. Greece’s positions are defined by an international legal framework that is clear and covers every occasion. There are provisions in international law on every issue and it is within this framework that they can be addressed. The only thing that Turkey can do is to follow international law. If it does, then obviously there will be no tension in the Aegean and there will be a normalisation of relations with Greece.

Mr. Simeonidis: Mr. Spokesman, irrespective of the document and in view of Mr. Erdogan’s proposed visit, is the Greek side discussing or negotiating a matter of disarming aircraft in the Aegean?

Mr. Delavekouras: No. Let me also tell you that we are talking about something that happened in June.

Mr. Pollatos: This is information which I gleaned from NATO’s website today. It mentions the force in Afghanistan, mentions all the countries that are taking part and mentions the Greek force that was present in Kabul airport, a force which I think has returned to Greece.

Mr. Delavekouras: Yes, it departed a few days later.

Mr. Pollatos: Despite all that, according to today’s information from the Hellenic Army General Staff of the Ministry of Defense, there are 150 Greek soldiers in Kabul. But there is no mention of them being in Kabul. The question is clear, because this issue has remained pending since December 2009, for almost a year. At a time of economic crisis, we are paying for a force to be present in Kabul for almost a year, to sit there doing nothing, not to be accounted for by NATO. Why do these officers not come back?

Why does this force – which does absolutely nothing in Afghanistan, which is not accounted for by NATO, which is not included in NATO’s documents, does not even take part in any training missions, is not included in its operational planning – why does it not return to Greece? Thank you.

Mr. Delavekouras: From what I can recall, I think we have discussed this issue before. You had said that this force does nothing in Afghanistan and I want …

Mr. Pollatos: This is what comes out of today’s data …

Mr. Delavekouras: No, I am certain that you can communicate with the General Staff, and we will contact our missions to NATO and look at that.

The reality is, first of all, that our force in Afghanistan carries out a significant mission. It has provided a substantial contribution to Afghanistan’s reconstruction all this time, but it has started very significant training work which is recognised by all our partners. I have personally seen at meetings with our allies how greatly recognised Greece’s presence is, both on a military and development level, because Greece has devoted a great part of its humanitarian and development aid to Afghanistan.

Beyond that, you should know that we will continue our presence there by investing in training to be provided by our force, because at the moment the most significant thing that we can do is precisely bolster the ability of Afghan institutions to handle the matters of their own state.

This is the safest way for a successful conclusion of this effort carried out in Afghanistan. So our presence there is, and will continue to be, within this framework.

Ms. Koliopoulou: I wanted to come back to tomorrow’s meeting, the conference held on green development, I wanted to ask what the Greek government expects from this conference, also at an environmental and, in a way, political level; i.e., as regards the access of Palestinians to water, all these problems that they are facing. Do you expect anything specific? Thank you.

Mr. Delavekouras: This initiative is, first of all, aimed at showing at a political level, that our region can speak with one voice, that the countries of the Mediterranean - countries with different political and cultural origins - can truly come to the same table, coordinate their approach towards one of the most significant issues the planet is faced with at the moment, and speak with one voice in Cancun.

This is why there is a proposal for a text to be drawn up that will precisely reflect these positions and establish a process for the coordination of the region's countries.

It is important that leaders from a host of countries are coming to our region. We want, through this initiative, to promote the dimension of PPP (public-private partnership), in order to develop a new model of growth for the region, the model of sustainable growth which will allow the entire Mediterranean - currently under threat from the phenomenon of climate change and at risk of being heavily impacted by it - to be able to reach a new model of development.

Ms. Kourbela: Mr. Spokesman, I wanted to ask the following because you spoke of public-private partnerships. Will there perhaps be any proposals on specific projects at the conference, projects also included in the Union for the Mediterranean? Because Turkey and Greece are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Mr. Delavekouras: As far as I am aware, the Union’s Secretary General will certainly be present, but it is obvious that we are talking about a very important forum, in the shaping of which Greece has played a decisive role and certainly its say will be important in this Conference’s proceedings too.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Mr. Spokesman, does Greece intend to participate in any way in NATO’s plans to extend the antimissile shield?

Mr. Delavekouras: The issue of the antimissile shield is one of the topics of discussion at the moment, in view of the NATO Summit to be held in Portugal. There is the NATO system and the U.S. system is still under discussion; its form has not been finalised yet.

Our view is that there must be very good coordination both among NATO countries and third players with a very significant role to play. Of course, Russia is such a player; we believe that it is very important to be in continuous talks with Russia. It has the resources that can prove very useful and this is precisely why we seek dialogue, on which there is already an institutional framework, i.e., the NATO-Russia Council, but it is also an issue on which the Greek Chairmanship of the OSCE undertook important efforts by launching the Corfu Process and the discussion for a unified/single framework, a single security strategy in Europe.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Will Greece participate?

Mr. Delavekouras: Greece by definition participates in the NATO dimension of this endeavour. What is under discussion, among other things, is the synergy between the NATO and the U.S. versions. This is one thing, but if you’re asking me about a physical presence of resources, there is no such issue at the moment as far as I know.

Mr. Vlavianos: Mr. Spokesman, among the agreements during Mr. Erdogan’s latest visit to Athens, was the possibility for Turkish citizens to visit Greek islands for one day without a visa obligation.

I wanted to ask you, at what level is this issue at the moment? What is happening with this affair?

Mr. Delavekouras: This is an issue of particular concern to us and of interest to us. We want to see progress, because it is precisely very, very important for our islands, for tourist activity on our islands.

As you know, Greece belongs to the Schengen area, so, in essence, we are talking about a community legal framework that already exists and any initiative we undertake has to comply with it. We have made certain moves vis-a-vis the European Commission, we have essentially presented the legal positions on which we believe such a programme can be implemented.

We hope and we will continue the effort for at least a pilot programme to be carried out as of the coming tourist season. Our contacts with the European Commission are ongoing, we believe that Greece’s positions are strong, but as you understand we have to be in coordination both with the Commission and with our Schengen partners.

I would also like to stress that the initiative on the official, so-called green passports from Turkey, seems to have already produced significant results in terms of tourism on our islands.

We are of course talking about something different here, when we are talking about entry without visa on a cruise, we are not just talking about Turkish citizens, we are talking about any citizen of any country who can enter our country despite normally needing a visa for this specific timeframe.

So it is not a measure having to do with Turkey, but it has to do in essence with the tourist flow from Turkey to Greece during the tourist season. Yes, not just for Turkish citizens, for the citizens of any country who would normally need a visa, are on the Turkish coast and will be able to enter Greece for a specific timeframe without the visa.

Mr. Vlavianos: So, this particular agreement has not been approved by Schengen, by the European Commission?

Mr. Delavekouras: There is no issue of agreement with Turkey. This is an issue that Greece is discussing with its partners from the Schengen area.

Ms. RISTOVSKA: First question: A few days ago I think, Mr. Gruevski said that he wants a new meeting with Mr. Papandreou before the NATO Summit. Is there a possibility for something like that to happen?

And secondly, whether the name issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting between Mr. Droutsas and Mr. Rasmussen today.

Mr. Delavekouras: With regard to the first question, let me tell you as you already know – and I’ve said this on many occasions – that our position is that it is good for the two Prime Ministers to meet at any given opportunity. This is why we were disappointed when Mr. Gruevski decided not to come to New York as initially announced. We hoped that it would be an opportunity for the two leaders to have another meeting, precisely creating the conditions for a better climate in order for us to be able to reach a solution through the UN process.

So it is within this framework that we are ready, if an opportunity is found; it is certain that the Prime Minister would like to have a meeting with Mr. Gruevski, if he is present too of course.

As regards today’s meeting with Mr. Rasmussen, I gave you the agenda which included many significant issues of concern to the Alliance, not least about the Alliance’s New Strategic Concept. On the name issue of FYROM, NATO has taken a clear position in Bucharest which fully stands and is unanimous, so I think that this defines things, but it cannot be ruled out that in the talks we will have, we will once again discuss our sincere wish and – certainly the NATO Secretary General’s too – to see swift progress to resolve the name issue – something which will of course open the way in order for FYROM to be able to join the Alliance, and also start negotiations with the European Union.

Ms. Rigou: Almost on the same issue: Recently, the Austrian Foreign Minister repeated his country’s position on FYROM’s European perspective. Irrespective of the resolution of the name issue and on the pretext of this, I would like your comment on this issue also on the pretext of this: at what phase are the negotiations at the moment? That is, is there a prospect for a proposal or any movement at all?

Mr. Delavekouras: Let me tell you that as far as Greece is concerned, we are prepared at any moment to have progress. Our positions are put on the table in a crystal clear manner, we believe that it is a fair solution, the solution of an erga omnes name with a geographical qualifier and we expect the neighbouring country’s leadership to finally take a decision, make the decisive step. That is, for it to finally participate constructively in the negotiating process. They have not done this so far.

The process is alive, the UN Secretary General’s special envoy is in contact with negotiators, but in order to be able to see progress, something must change on the substance. That is, there is no point in simply meeting up. The FYROM leadership will have to come to the table with a different stance. I hope that we will be able to see something like that in future, and be certain that as soon as we see it, we will have substantial progress.

Ms. Rigou: But the same argument goes for the other side too.

Mr. Delavekouras: Yes, but now we all understand who means it and who doesn’t. That is, Greece has proceeded with important moves in order to facilitate the process. Moves which had been difficult, but have proven our preparedness to move ahead with a solution. The FYROM leadership has so far used the same rhetoric. And not only that, it often makes provocations and attacks against Greece.

We are of course not going to follow this course. We are going to continue to have a constructive stance and be open and friendly towards them, but we expect them to take the decisive step. And I think that it is now clear to everyone who means it, and that if no solution is found, there cannot be progress in the Euroatlantic process for FYROM.

Ms. Rigou: With regard to the Vienna position?

Mr. Delavekouras: With regard to the specific Vienna issue, it is clear that we can have different views. We believe that on this issue, it is good for the European Union to have a single stance, in order for the message to come across that we need to reach a solution. I think that the leadership of the Austrian Foreign Ministry knows this very well. We have very frequent contacts with them and we have a very good cooperation in the region of the Western Balkans, precisely because we are interested in the European perspective of the entire region.

We will obviously continue to have these contacts and I am certain that the message to FYROM is finally put across by all our partners, in the contacts we are having, in order for the neighbouring country’s leadership to finally understand that it needs to take this step. For our part, we are ready.

Mr. Fourlis: Mr. Spokesman, I would like to ask you to clarify one of your previous answers: Because within NATO, both the NATO and U.S. version of the antimissile shield are being discussed, are we discussing both versions too?

I would also like a clarification on whether the Greek government’s stance on this issue is still valid, i.e., that with regard to the U.S. antimissile shield there will be a coordinated position of the 27 EU member states.

Mr. Delavekouras: At the moment, the United States is in bilateral contacts with certain countries in order to agree on a potential installation of parts of such a U.S. system on their territory. Beyond that, NATO has a system to examine to what extent there is cooperation between these two systems. But here we are talking about a discussion that is rather premature for me to be able to give you any answers now.

It is an issue that will continue to be discussed up until the NATO Summit in Portugal, and even after that. And in any event, it is a programme which will need many years in order to be implemented. At the moment, the United States is in contact with certain countries. It is a matter for these organisations and these countries. As the discussion unfolds, we will look at the matter.

Mr. Fourlis: Do you have anything to tell us about the agenda for the talks between the Prime Minister and Mr. Erdogan tomorrow mainly, and perhaps tonight, as well, at the dinner they will have? And I would like to ask you to specify whether the issues discussed at Mr. Zepos’ meetings will also be discussed, given that you yourself distinguished the talks from the negotiations. So I am asking you about the talks.

Mr. Delavekouras: Because I see that there is a tendency to cultivate this stereotype, let me make it clear that the things you mentioned do not exist. You can’t tell me that the Prime Ministers are discussing things on this level. The two Prime Ministers are discussing cooperation between the two countries. There is a broad field of cooperation in Greek-Turkish relations.

Just a few months ago, the Turkish Prime Minister was here and we signed 22 important agreements and we established a new body which precisely symbolises upgraded bilateral relations: the High-level Cooperation Council. There are still many sectors in which we can cooperate.

But at the moment, there is a broad field in sectors such as the economy, tourism, things that touch upon our everyday lives and are useful to Greece. We are neighbours with Turkey and we have to capitalise on precisely these elements of the relationship.

I clearly told you that the entire spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations will be discussed at the level of Prime Ministers.

Mr. Fourlis: Mr. Spokesman, I think that an issue can be raised. You might not think it is an issue, but you will tell me your opinion, when for months you had been assuring us that the only issue discussed with Turkey – apart from the so-called anodyne matters – is the delimitation of the continental shelf, which was discussed at the exploratory contacts, and today it is revealed that you are not talking about only that and you are not talking only during the exploratory contacts.

Mr. Delavekouras: Nothing was revealed today. We have clearly told you that the topic of the exploratory contacts is the delimitation of the continental shelf. We have answered to repeated questions about whether other issues are discussed at the exploratory contacts: their topic is the delimitation of the continental shelf. So this is clear.

Beyond that, there is a grid of bilateral contacts between Greece and Turkey. Issues discussed within this grid, which starts at the level of officials and reaches the level of Prime Ministers, concern the two countries’ relations. This is obvious. Whatever Turkey says, whatever positions Turkey presents, it does not mean that Greece has to accept them. This has to be put straight at some point. We have repeatedly said, the Minister has said and I have said it, that we are willing to discuss anything with Turkey within the framework of serving Greece’s interests, within the framework of the protection of Greece’s sovereign rights and within the framework of international law.

This is what the Greek Foreign Minister said in Ankara, when he met his Turkish counterpart, in public, in the statements that were made there. So don’t tell me that you have never heard it before. That is not true. We have no problem discussing things with Turkey, but it has to be clear that we will also not be afraid of discussing nothing at all. There is no fear of that. There is no question of that.

Mr. Meletis: You are saying that we are not afraid and so on. Exploratory contacts are only on the continental shelf throughout Greece. My question is: Why wasn’t the delimitation issue resolved from the first meeting given that Greece has its positions and it is on the basis of these that we will decide?

Mr. Delavekouras: Because Turkey's positions run counter to Greece’s positions and counter to the Law of the Sea.

Mr. Meletis: Is it within this framework that Turkey raised an issue of “grey zones” in the negotiations?

Mr. Delavekouras: I am telling you again there is no such issue for Greece.

Mr. Meletis: Then why didn’t they resolve the delimitation issue from the first meeting?

Mr. Delavekouras: Let me tell you: The content of the exploratory contacts is confidential. I do not know it and I am not going to tell you what Turkey said, because I do not know. But I know what the framework is, within which the discussion is being held. I know that the exclusive topic of discussion is the delimitation of the continental shelf. So Turkey can say what it wants. The position of Greece is clear: There is no issue of grey zones. This is clear.

Just as the legal framework in the Aegean is clear. The delimitation of the continental shelf is a legal matter that can be resolved through exploratory contacts and we can end up before the ICJ. This is the surest way to resolve it. If Turkey wants, it can follow this course. Otherwise we will not reach a solution.

Thank you very much.