Athens , 22 February 2010

Mr. Droutsas: We just we completed the proceedings of the General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils, and in a short while we will continue with a working dinner, in which the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, will participate.

Regarding foreign affairs, let me stress first of all the discussion we had of the situation in Haiti. The situation, as we saw, remains tragic, unfortunately, and the extent of the tragedy is complicating the efforts we are making collectively to reconstruct the country. The EU as a whole, as well as Greece on a national level, is playing a decisive role in confronting the crisis. As you know, just a few days ago the aircraft carrying Greek aid landed with emergency aid for Haiti.

We also discussed the issue of Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA. Greece’s positions on this are well known and firm. We believe that priority must be given to diplomacy and that the unity of the international community in handling this matter must be ensured so as to bolster the efforts being made within the framework of the UN. This is a constant for us and is always our guide in such cases.

We also had the opportunity to discuss the EU’s relations with Ukraine following the recent presidential elections in that country, as well as the issue that has arisen with regard to Libya’s restricting Schengen area citizens from entering the country. We also talked about developments in Nigeria and, finally, the appointment of the former Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Mr. Vygaudas Usackas, as the EU representative to Afghanistan.

At the General Affairs Council we discussed two basic, critical issues. First of all, the EU’s 2020 Strategy – which will replace the Lisbon Strategy, which was agreed upon in 2000 – and also the next steps on the matter of climate change. Let me stress that the EU 2020 Strategy is one of the most important tools being shaped at this time and it will determine to a great extent the development model for Europe in the coming decade. On this, Greece emphasises the combating of social inequality and the creation of jobs. That is what European citizens and Greek citizens are expecting from the EU’s strategy and development policy. And a third issue Greece stresses – which again is related to civil society – is participation and greater awareness of citizens with regard to the precise goals of the EU 2020 strategy.

As regards climate change, we stressed that despite the meagre results of the Copenhagen Conference, we have before us a new milestone – the Mexico Conference – and it is clear that there is no room for failure. The EU has to take the leading role on this issue so that it can give momentum to this discussion on a global level.

Finally, I would like to underscore that I had the opportunity on the margins of this discussion to return – in a follow-up to the recent Informal European Council – to the matter of confronting the economic crisis and situation, as well as the profiteering assault that our country is under. I stressed in particular that Greece has a credible government that from the very outset has confronted this crisis, this situation, seriously and with systematic moves. The government drew up and presented a serious stability programme that was accepted by the European Commission. The government has expressed its readiness to take additional measure, if need be, to achieve the goal we set: the reduction of the deficit by 4 percentage points in 2010. But I stressed that Greece did not ask its partners for a handout of any kind. The only thing Greece has requested of its partners is clear political support and the expression of solidarity. Anything other than this clear message undermines not only Greece’s efforts, but also the economic unity that the euro stands for.

I will have the opportunity, if need be, to talk further at the dinner on this issue and to present in detail Greece’s positions, as I have already said to European Council President Rompuy.

Finally, I would like to inform you that on the margins of the proceedings I was asked to meet with Mr. George Hatzimarkakis, who is the chair of the EU-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee, and with Mr. Thaler, who is the European Parliament Rapporteur on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who briefed me on the meetings they had during their recent visit to Skopje.

Journalist: Mr. Minister, I would like us to clarify something. Incredible confusion has been created by the statements on the economy being made in Athens and those being made here. You said before that we don’t want economic support, we want political support. Meanwhile, we hear from the government – Mr. Pangalos said it today – that Europe has not come through for us recently as much as it should have. My question is very simple: Do you want the European partners to intervene and buy bonds, or not?

Mr. Droutsas: We have said that with the measures we have taken and those we intend to take, Greece is in a position to find the necessary solutions. For Greece to be helped in this direction, clear political support is needed from our partners in the European Union. And it is precisely this clear support that we are seeking, without other, interspersed voices that may send messages that are not so clear to the international markets. We insist that that is what we are seeking from the European Union – what was given us as political support by the previous Informal European Council of EU leaders. It is precisely this message that needs to be reiterated and sent in a clear manner to the international stage.

Journalist: So, Mr. Minister, you don’t need particulars to be added to the Informal Council’s statement, because I heard Mr. Papakonstantinou in Greece talk about particulars. What do you see as being the particulars?

Mr. Droutsas: As you know, the heads of state and government who participated in the Informal European Council said in their joint statement that the European Union will stand by us and take measures if need be. When this issue arises, and if necessary, some specifics may be needed. Let me stress one more time that Greece is doing what it has to, implementing measures and the programme that it has presented, and we hope that with clear support from our partners, the implementation of these measures will produce the required results so that no other intervention by anyone will be needed.

Journalist: You are talking about political support?

Mr. Droutsas: Yes, political support.

Journalist: Mr. Minister, to whom are you referring as those blurring the message, which we say we want to be clear? And do we need specifics now, or not?

Mr. Droutsas: As you know, following the Informal European Council, there were various voices, various messages from various sides, which – in our opinion – muddied the message that had been sent by the heads of state and government.

Journalist: You were at the Informal European Council. So can you confirm Eurozone President Juncker’s statement that the Greek Prime Minister accepted a text imposed on him by the Eurozone countries, and that he accepted it without amendment?

Mr. Droutsas: I don’t know what Mr. Juncker said. What I can say is that at this Informal Council of heads of state and government, there was a very good meeting and discussion with the Greek Prime Minister. And this Joint Statement of the 27 heads of state and government of the EU was agreed upon jointly. We wanted clear political support and an expression of solidarity with Greece, and that is what we got.

Journalist: Was this text the object of negotiations.

Mr. Droutsas: I think it is obvious that when you have a joint statement from the EU’s 27 heads of state and government, there is certainly a discussion of the text. I think that is reasonable and obvious.

Journalist: Mr. Minister, are you dealing with the statements being made on a bilateral level? Are you making any moves? I don’t mean you personally, I mean on the level of the government and bilaterally. That is, we are always asking that the waters not be muddied, and we have to be able to talk bilaterally with those who are muddying the waters.

Mr. Droutsas: I think the answer is obvious. It is clear and apparent that a systematic and coordinated effort is being made by the government as a whole. In our international contacts, we always discuss these issues. As I told you earlier, at today’s General Affairs Council – without this being on the agenda – I exercised my option to reiterate our messages, our positions, as I have done in all my bilateral meetings in recent days, in Bratislava and Prague. And I must say that in their public statements, we heard the Foreign Ministers of these countries express confidence in the Greek government and solidarity with Greece.

Journalist: Did you discuss the economy issue with your counterparts today? Was there an exchange of views?

Mr. Droutsas: No, there was no exchange of views. As we said, this is not the competent Council. It is just that it is part of our coordinated effort – as I said – to keep our partners apprised on all levels.

Journalist: Any details on the meeting with Hatzimarkakis and Thaler?

Mr. Droutsas: As I said, they briefed me on the meetings they had during their recent visit to Skopje. I think it was a very useful talk, and they passed on to me precisely what they heard and the discussions they had. It is always useful to have this exchange of views with these institutional agencies that are in contact with Skopje.

Journalist: Regarding the Nimetz visit?

Mr. Droutsas: It was our initiative to invite Mr. Nimetz to visit the region. This is part of the Greek government’s general mindset and approach: that we want this issue to be resolved. So if you don’t start up the competent process – which is the UN process – you won’t be able to get anywhere. So it was obvious to us that we should invite Mr. Nimetz. And I stress that this is Mr. Nimetz’s first official visit since the new Greek government took office. So this alone determines the framework of these meetings: a first official meeting, to get acquainted, if you will. So that we – as the new Greek government – can present our approach – our views – to Mr. Nimetz first hand. And, of course, so we can hear from Mr. Nimetz how he sees things, where we stand, particularly following his visit to Skopje, which will precede his arrival in Athens.

Journalist: I see various EU and U.S. officials saying that they see a window of opportunity in the coming months. Do you agree with that outlook? And if there isn’t any progress in June, what will happen at the Summit Meeting?

Mr. Droutsas: I’ll start with your second question. The Greek position has been clear and well known and consistent from the very outset. Without prior resolution of the name issue, there is no question of opening accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. That is clear, and everyone knows it. Moreover, it was set down in the Conclusions of the December European Council.

Now, with regard to windows of opportunity, or whatever anyone wants to call them, let me stress once again that the Greek government has every intention of moving ahead with this issue and reaching a solution. Our proposal is crystal clear and well known – what we call the national red line. We have put that on the table as a proposal. We hope the Skopje side – and particularly Mr. Gruevski – understands that there is no point in delaying or any other moves that distract attention from the UN negotiation process. If Mr. Gruevski understands that, if he really wants to see his country’s future in the European Union – and soon – then he has to be reasonable in his views and come to the negotiating table at the UN in a constructive manner so that we can see if we can reach a solution. Now, if the foreign officials you refer to have the impression that Mr. Gruevsi is altering his approach and becoming more flexible, I hope it’s the case.

Journalist: Have you been informed by the Spanish Presidency when it will bring the issue to the Summit Meeting, or whether it will stay at the General Affairs Council level?

Mr. Droutsas: No such discussion has taken place, and I have no information on that. The December Conclusions say that during the next Presidency there will be an effort to readdress the issue during the Spanish Presidency. But, as I said, there has been no discussion on that. And as we said, the Greek position is clear and well known. Without prior resolution of the name issue, accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are out of the question. Everyone is aware of this, and I think it is understood and respected.

Thank you very much.