Athens , 22 February 2010

Journalist: According to economists, Greece’s gigantic debt stems from over-employment and generous wage policy in the state institutions and enterprises. Is the Greek government considering cuts in this sector?

Mr. Droutsas: First of all, ‘consider’ is the wrong word, because we have already introduced a number of measures to curb public sector spending.

So, in addition to revamping our taxation system in order to widen the tax net and close up loopholes, etc., we are also bringing government spending under control by reducing government bonuses and freezing the highest government wages.

Another measure we have announced for the public sector is a 1:5 ratio of civil servant replacement – with one public employee being hired for every five that leave government service – and we are also raising the retirement age to levels more consistent with European standards and our increasing life expectancy.

Journalist: How does the Greek government want to convince people to accept the harsh saving measures to avoid state bankruptcy, when PASOK did not have them in the program before the parliamentary election?

Mr. Droutsas: Consensus is vital in times of crisis, and the Greek people recognize that there is a need for fundamental change. The course charted by the previous government during its five years in office led to a precipice, and now we need drastic reforms to turn things around.

There are difficult days ahead of us, but I think the Greek people’s continuing approval of the new government shows how committed they are to changing their country. Greece needs to change, and the Greek people know it. And we will act accordingly.

Journalist: What is the opinion of the Greek government of help from the International Monetary Fund?

Mr. Droutsas: I want to stress that Greece has not asked for any handouts from the IMF or our partners in the EU. We have presented our initial plans for economic recovery, and those plans have met with our partners approval. How successful we are in implementing these plans will be seen in the regular evaluations starting on 15 March.

What we need at this point from our partners is their political support for the tough measures we are taking. We are asking for clear, unequivocal messages that will be taken under serious consideration by the international markets.

Journalist: Greece has gained the reputation of being a country whose politicians are incapable of administering public affairs and tending to cheat in statistics. What does this mean for you as the foreign policy chief?

Mr. Droutsas: First of all, while we have no intention of ignoring the mistakes that have been made in the past, what we need to do at this juncture is focus on the present and the future. From the very outset, this government has worked very hard to produce a recovery plan, and I think that we should be judged on that. Our main goal is to re-establish our credibility, and George Papandreou’s new government will achieve this.

The current situation certainly isn’t making my job any easier. But our foreign policy stances are based on international law, and that means that they are supported by our international partners.

One example of this is “Agenda 2014”, which is aimed at imparting fresh momentum to the European accession courses of our neighbours in the Western Balkans. And this initiative has already met with support from our EU partners, as well as from the countries in the region.

So I think that while we are putting our house in order, we continue to enjoy our partners’ support for our foreign policy choices and initiatives.

Journalist: Greece has blocked the EU and NATO accession processes of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for several years due to the difference over the name issue. This week, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said he expected a solution by June this year. When do you expect the solution to the name dispute?

Mr. Droutsas: The European Union and NATO, on the level of heads of state and government, decided unanimously that the name problem must be resolved before the accession of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s accession to the two organizations. They have said that the problem must be resolved in the interest of stability in the region.

To get a clear picture of Greece’s firm support for EU enlargement, one need only look at our “Agenda 2014” initiative, which is designed to reinvigorate the European perspectives of all of our Western Balkan neighbours – including the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Greece has been hoping for a speedy and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue for years now. I hope we do have a solution by June. I would like to have a solution tomorrow. And if Skopje comes to the negotiations in a creative spirit of good will, we can find a solution – and soon. And you can be sure that when the name issue is resolved, the government and people of FYROM will have a firm helping hand from Greece in their efforts to realise their Euroatlantic aspirations.