Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all I would like to say what a pleasure it is to be addressing this Symposium on “Southeast Europe after the Crunch”, which has brought together such an esteemed array of members of the academic, business and policy-making communities.
As you will know, Southeast Europe is a top priority for the new government, and it is heartening to see the academic and business communities are also supporting the effort to return Greece to the leading role it deserves to play – and must – play in the Balkans.
To secure this leading role, as quickly and effectively as possible, we have taken a number of initiatives in the few weeks, since we took office. These include our proposal for the “Agenda 2014” – PM Papandreou’s and the government’s vision for reinvigorating the EU accession courses of the SEECs and put them in a position to join the European family by 2014, 100 years after the outbreak of World War I.
The symbolism of this target-date will not be lost on you: Many of the problems that have plagued our region over the past century have been with us at least as far back as that June 1914 morning in Sarajevo, when the European continent was cast into the first of its two devastating 20th century conflicts.
We set out the Agenda 2014 for our Southeast European neighbours just days after taking office, at a meeting of SEECP Foreign Ministers. And last week I completed a tour of Western Balkan countries, discussing the Agenda with the political leaderships in Belgrade, Podgorica, Sarajevo and Tirana; In a effort to rebuild the momentum lost in recent years that – again Greece – had created by the Thessaloniki Agenda during our last EU-Presidency in 2003.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The incorporation of the SEECs into Euroatlantic institutions is a longstanding strategic choice for us - for Greece. And after a series of conflicts and crises, these countries are now closer to achieving social and political stability and economic development.
Throughout the region, democratic governments are now in power. And regional cooperation has undergone a qualitative upgrading, with a number of regional cooperation organizations functioning at ever higher levels.
But despite the considerable progress that has been achieved, we have even more important work ahead of us. Work that will enable us to capitalize to the greatest extent possible on what has been achieved so far.
The rate of reform – we must be frank – is not always, and in all cases, satisfactory, in spite of the positive steps that have been taken in the fight against corruption, organized crime, illegal migration, inadequate infrastructure and the grey economy. New efforts and fresh approaches are required to fully eradicate these phenomena and their repercussions for the societies of the region.
At the same time our region needs to rid itself from the unresolved political issues and differences that continue to pose a threat to regional stability and hamper the European prospect of South-East Europe.
One of these pending issues is the FYROM name issue. I want to be very clear on that: We, Greece, want FYROM, too, to join the European family as soon as possible, preferably in 2014. Since taking office in October, PM Papandreou has met twice – the second time just yesterday – with FYROM’s Prime Minister, Mr. Gruevski. These two meetings – these two initiatives on the part of Greece and PM Papandreou personally – make it absolutely clear that we want to have relations of friendship and cooperation with FYROM. We want FYROM to be our partner in the EU and in NATO.
But there is also our “national red line”: Skopje will not be able to open accession negotiations with Brussels without prior resolution of the name issue. Greece has gone halfway on this. We have said that we want a name with a geographical qualifier, for use in relation to everyone – erga omnes.
This is, in our view, the only way to really resolve this issue, in a clear manner, and not only postponing or even perpetuating the situation we are facing today – and have been facing for many years.
We are now waiting for Skopje to meet us halfway – always within the framework of the negotiations at the UN.
We are waiting for Skopje to abandon – I must say so - its counterproductive rhetoric and come to these negotiations in a constructive spirit so that we can work this problem out as good neighbours - and in good faith.
We are reaching out the hand of friendship and cooperation to the people of our neighbouring country, to our neighbours.
We sincerely hope that this, our offer for friendship and cooperation will be accepted and responded at in the same constructive spirit as it is meant by us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The indications are that the international economic crisis and its impact on the countries of the region is probably going to be deeper and of longer duration than initially expected.
This renders even more imperative the need for coordinated efforts amongst the countries of the region. Coordinated efforts that deal with the crisis, so that the economic development work can be completed, along with the consolidation of the rule of law and the creation of effective institutions that can be trusted by all of the citizens of the countries of the region.
Greece’s basic priorities in the region can be summarised as:
First, the creation of a climate of political stability; The strengthening of good neighbourly relations and closer cooperation with the countries of the region on both a bilateral and a regional level.
Second, the economic and social development of the SEECs.
And third, the promotion of the European perspective of the whole region.
Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to underscore the contribution of Greece and Greek investments to the economic growth of the region. Also the efforts to create a single economic space in Southeast Europe, as well as the initiatives we have undertaken in the energy sector, with the aim of creating a larger and more competitive market.
The Hellenic Plan for the Reconstruction of the Balkans (HiPERB) is an effort on the part of Greece to incorporate isolated and fragmentary development assistance initiatives into a single plan, promoting a comprehensive development policy aimed at consolidating the political, economic and social stability of Southeast Europe.
These actions and projects contribute significantly to – among other things – the modernization of infrastructure, the promotion of productive investments, the strengthening of the social state and the redressing of social inequalities.
The total sum that is to be disbursed for the purposes of the Plan by 2011 comes to €550 million, while total commitments to date have surpassed 50% of the total budget.
At the same time, the dynamic presence of Greek enterprises has made a significant contribution to the stability of our neighbouring countries for some years now.
And today, Greek investments in the countries of Southeast Europe come to over $20 billion, with over 3,500 Greek enterprises active in the region, having created some 200,000 jobs.
Greece is the top foreign investor in Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia, and is second among foreign investors in Romania and Bulgaria.
In the financial sector alone, there are some 2,000 branches of Greek banks in Southeast Europe.
In other words, our dynamic economic presence in the region makes us – I dare to say - a real motor force for development and progress on the course to Europe.
It is also very positive that four Balkan countries are today already members of NATO, and two are in NATO’s “Partnership for Peace” programme. Two Balkan countries joined the EU in 2007, with active Greek support. Two countries are candidates for accession to the European Union, while all of the countries of the Western Balkans have signed Stability and Association Agreements with the European Union.
What is more, the gradual liberalization of the visa regime for all of the citizens of the countries of the region has been decided upon, based on targeted obligations for reforms that will lead to their harmonization with European standards.
We believe that a relaxed visa regime is vital to further progress in the SEECs – economic, political and social progress. It will strengthen the region’s bonds with Europe, and ultimately help to nurture reform, which will in turn enhance cooperation and competitiveness in the region.
Visa liberalisation is a tool with direct, tangible implications for the citizens of these countries – that allow the citizens, particularly the younger generation, to come closer to Europe and understand that the efforts for reforms in their respective countries are indispensable.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Agenda 2014” – the Greek initiative and proposal - is a cornerstone on which to build policy and progress in every sector. And ultimately it is a challenge that the EU must answer.
The European Union – and I think we all agree on this – is the most successful peace project Europe has ever known. So the European Union, too, needs to take its responsibilities in Southeast Europe – to contribute actively and decisively, to peace and stability in our region as well.
Southeast Europe is an integral part, is a historical part of Europe.
We are sending the message to the region that its future – its immediate future – lies in Europe, the united Europe, our European family.
And in this path, the countries of the region, the peoples of the region, can count on Greece as reliable partner and friend.
This is the simple and clear message by Greece.
Thank you for the attention – bon appetite.