Journalist: Do you think the FYROM leadership could change its policy by December and accept a compromise on the name?
Mr. Droutsas: It is in the hands of the FYROM government and Mr. Gruevski himself to abandon their intransigent stance and extremist nationalistic rhetoric. Groundless and historically unfounded claims do not benefit our neighbouring country’s people, who are in immediate need of the prosperity and growth guaranteed by the European perspective.
We are going to support this perspective but we want - and we must – be clear: there cannot be a start of EU accession negotiations without a prior resolution of the name issue. This is our clear and well-known position. There is no room for misunderstandings.
Journalist: Does the name “Republic of Northern Macedonia” constitute an honourable compromise for Athens?
Mr. Droutsas: Greece has a national red line today, which is supported by the majority of the country’s political forces. We are only discussing an erga omnes compound name with a geographical qualifier. This is the position we also supported as the main opposition party and we imposed it. It consolidates national interests, provides a solution without winners and losers. This solution will strengthen regional security and release our neighbouring country’s Euro-Atlantic perspective.
Journalist: You seem to be afraid of the 'veto’ word…
Mr. Droutsas: Not at all. But I don’t believe in the need to stress what is self-evident. The veto is one of the tools at our disposal, just like any other NATO and EU member state. FYROM's leadership has to prove to every EU member state that it has complied with all the criteria and prerequisites; that it respects the rules on good neighbourly relations, abandons intransigence and nationalism and comes to the negotiations under the auspices of the UN with a constructive mindset in order to find a definitive solution on the name issue. There cannot be a start of accession negotiations without this issue’s resolution. It’s plain and simple.
Journalist: You have argued in favour of the Western Balkan countries’ EU accession by 2014. Do you include Kosovo?
Mr. Droutsas: Greece’s initiative on the ‘2014 Agenda’ is just the start to our comeback as a dynamic leader in the Balkans. I visited Serbia. Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. I presented to these countries’ leaderships our political vision on the European integration of the Western Balkans on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, which is the root of many problems that still torment the region. The time has come for the EU to take up its responsibilities vis-a-vis a region that is an integral part of Europe; to breathe new life to these countries’ European perspective and heal the last remaining wounds.
The EU is the most successful peace project, it can – and must – take this step. But I stressed that these countries also have to comply consistently with the obligations they have undertaken towards fulfilling the necessary criteria for accession. Kosovo remains an open wound. The vision of the whole region’s European future can give the answers.
On the Kosovo issue, only the US and Russia have been heard so far, the EU has practically not been heard at all, and particularly at the crucial period when the current situation could have been avoided. We now have the chance to make it up by taking up the role that is ours.
Journalist: What is it you seek from Turkey in view of the EU Summit?
Mr. Droutsas: What the EU wants is for Turkey to comply with its obligations and honour its signature; to comply with the terms and conditions provided for in its accession procedure. Greece's contribution was decisive in order for Turkey to set off on its European course. We opened a path of dates and obligations in order for progress to be made on the issues that are of concern to us. And we achieved tangible results – let me remind you of the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU.
Unfortunately, time was lost; major, historic chances were lost in the past five years. But it must be clear that there will be no concessions. It is in Turkey’s hands to make the necessary reforms. It must fully respect international law and Greece’s territorial integrity; it must respect human and minority rights; it must protect the rights of the Greek minority in Turkey;
it must respect religious freedoms and protect the Ecumenical Patriarchate rather than obstruct its operation; it must cooperate effectively on tackling illegal migration; it must contribute constructively to the resolution of the Cyprus issue. it must have good neighbourly relations with everyone; it must normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and of course, since we’re talking about December, it must implement the Protocol on the Customs Union vis-a-vis the Republic of Cyprus. At the European Council, we will judge Turkey based on the actions it has taken or not taken – rigorously and objectively. All the options are on the table and no one should take us for granted.
Journalist: Should we expect a meeting between Mssrs. Papandreou and Erdogan? Will it be a meeting on all matters?
Mr. Droutsas: From the very outset, the Prime Minister gave a signal regarding our foreign policy. Initiatives, cooperation, activity. Meetings will be held when they must be held and under the right terms. We want contacts with Turkey. But let us not mistake our roles. Turkey is the one in a hurry. It has undertaken clear obligations, and it will be evaluated soon on their fulfilment. We are getting prepared and we are seeking an understanding with seriousness and responsibility. But there are certain conditions to every understanding. We are not going to have meetings for publicity reasons. Any meeting will be held when there’s a meaning to it and when it can produce results.
Journalist: Are you discussing minority issues in Thrace, as Mr. Erdogan has asked?
Mr. Droutsas: I will be categorical. This government does not discuss issues relating to Greek citizens with any foreign governments. Anyone can say what they want. We are not going into any such discussion. We are a country with a deep democratic tradition and respect in humanitarian values and human rights. So there is no such discussion, a discussion within the framework ,in fact, of a false notion of reciprocity that is non-existent.