Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. On Monday, 5 March, Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis will participate in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. She will be in Paris on 7 March to participate in the convention of the French center-right UMP Party on European Defense Policy, at the invitation of French MP Mr. Pierre Lellouche. Ms. Bakoyannis will be among the speakers at the convention.

On Thursday and Friday, 8-9 March, the Foreign Minister will participate with the Prime Minister in the EU’s spring Summit Meeting in Brussels.

Regarding the agenda for Monday’s GAERC, in the General Affairs section preparations will be made for the European Council. In External Relations, the World Trade Organization, Sudan, Uzbekistan and the Western Balkans will be discussed. Developments in the Middle East and Iran will be discussed at the Foreign Ministers’ luncheon.

Meetings of the Ministerial troika with Serbia and the EU-Croatia Stability and Association Council are scheduled to take place on the margins of the GAERC.

Regarding Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis’ schedule, on Thursday and Friday, 1 and 2 March, Mr. Valinakis will represent our country at the proceedings of the meeting of SEECP Foreign Ministers. The meeting will take place in Zagreb, Croatia; Croatia currently holds the Chairmanship of the SEECP, following our own chairmanship. The basic issue to be addressed at the meeting will be further promotion of regional cooperation and the strengthening of the SEECP in view of the process of transforming the Stability Pact and replacing it with a Regional Cooperation Council.

On Monday, 5 March, Mr. Valinakis will be in Brussels to participate with the Minister in the GAERC. Within the framework of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Valinakis will participate in the working luncheon for European Affairs Ministers on the subject of the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, and the implementation of the Commission’s action plan for promoting Europe among its citizens.

On Thursday and Friday, 8 and 9 March, Mr. Valinakis will participate in the proceedings of the spring European Council, with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

On Sunday, 4 March, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Stylianidis will address an open session of the annual conference of the Federation of Thessaly Industries, in Larissa, on the subject of “The new strategy of Greek economic diplomacy”. On Monday, 5 March, Mr. Stylianidis will talk to representatives of businesses in the Edessa region about issues concerning the external trade and export potential of Greek businesses in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Arab world.

Are there any questions?

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, I want to ask whether the Foreign Minister has been briefed by the Foreign Ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic regarding their decision to participate in the American installation of an antimissile defense umbrella on their territory, and whether you think that such and initiative on the part of these two countries contributes to peace and stability in Europe and the promotion of the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). That’s my first question.

My second question is whether you think our not making a demarche on a political level in NATO, regarding the questioning of the option of militarization of Agios Efstratios, promotes Greek interests and protects national sovereignty.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding your first question, as you know, there is a plan for the installation of such systems in two NATO countries. It is up to these countries how they will approach this discussion and what decision they will make as sovereign states. If and when such a sovereign decision is made, there will be something to take a stance on.

Mr. Meletis: So why did Greece take a position on the statement from the Russian general and the Russian government’s position, when it has yet to take a position on the proposal of these two countries?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I want to say here that the issue to which you are referring was closed yesterday with a very clear statement from the Foreign Minister, which I will repeat for you word for word. Greek-Russian relations have been, are, and will continue to be excellent, and they will be excellent in the future, as they have always been.

Mr. Meletis: It would be of note if some Russian official said that. When the Greek government or you yourself say it, it is of no interest.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am speaking for the Greek side and for the Greek government, and in the certainty that what we are saying corresponds fully with the real state of affair in Greek-Russian relations.

Regarding your second question, this has to do with an action on the part of Turkey – an action that was groundless in terms of international law, international treaties and, of course, specifically the Treaty of Lausanne. And because it is groundless in terms of international law, it is unacceptable.

By this action, Turkey is attempting not only to call into question the sovereign rights of an allied country, but also to undermine the cohesion and effectiveness of NATO.

As you asked me about the actions that are to be taken, I can say that instructions have already been given for the appropriate actions to be taken on a political and military level in the Alliance. And at the highest level, in fact.

Mr. Symeonidis: As you said there was a Treaty of Lausanne.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Lausanne Peace Treaty.

Mr. Symeonidis: In any case, do you know what treaty refers to Agios Efstratios?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I clearly referred to an action that is totally groundless according to international law and treaties. Your question has been answered.

Mr. Symeonidis: I’m asking because Agios Efstratios in particular is not mentioned in any treaty.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am well aware of what is in the treaties. And that is why I set out this position a short while ago. You have your answer.

Mr. Symeonidis: A second question. Does the Greek government consider Limnos a militarized or demilitarized area?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I understand your question. You know what Greece’s long-standing, firm position is.

Mr. Symeonidis: Will you repeat it for me?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will not go into a discussion of things that are obvious and given and self-evident.

Mr. Konstantinidis: Mr. Spokesman, following the new provocation on the part of Turkey regarding the issue of Agios Efstratios, and the stern – I would say – statements from the head of the Defense General Staff to Turkey, might one conclude that Greek-Turkish relations are going through a crisis at this time?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are well aware that Greek-Turkish relations have never evolved historically on a straight line. And I think that answers your question. The duty of the responsible political leaderships – in awareness of the fact that Greek-Turkish relations have never evolved on a straight line throughout the course of history – is to take the actions that are necessary for these relations to enter a period of improvement and calm.

Mr. Pollatos: Mr. Spokesman, first of all I would like a comment. For three years now we have been hearing, whenever there is usually some incident in Greek-Turkish relations, that these relations are not characterized as evolving on a straight line, and this stereotypical statement is the comment we get. We would like a more detailed analysis – at least I would. My question is this: Whether NATO has jurisdiction regarding issues regulated by international conventions, and whether you consider that the climate of trust between our country and Turkey is put to a tough test by incidents such as this with Agios Efstratios.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that the action taken is, in terms of international law and international treaties, completely groundless. An action that not only attempts to call into question an allied country’s right, but also essentially undermines the cohesion and credibility of the Alliance. Regarding issues of international treaties, there is no doubt that the contracting parties are responsible, and no one else. Others must simply respect them.

 Mr. Pollatos: The second part of my question is whether the creation of a climate of trust is put to a tough test by incidents such as this concerning Agios Efstratios.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I repeat that the responsible political leaderships – who are aware that Greek-Turkish relations, throughout history and in recent years, have never followed a straight course, implement responsible policies. These are the seas in which we are piloting the ship.

Mr. Kottaridis: As there was a stern message today from Mr. Chinofotis to Turkey, in a newspaper, I want you to tell me what has changed since two days ago, when the alternate government spokesman said that the exercise was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no reason – and it is not within my competency – to compare or assess the statements of the alternate government spokesman or the head of the Defense General Staff. These statements are clear.

Beyond that, I stated clearly how we interpret the Turkish action and what actions are being taken and what instructions have been issued.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Instructions were given for a meeting to be held with the NATO Secretary General on this issue.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: A meeting will be held on this issue on the level of Secretary General.

Journalist: When?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know exactly when. The instructions are for such a meeting to be held as soon as possible.

Mr. Kottaridis: Do we have anything new on Mr. Gul’s visit to Athens?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is nothing official to announce at this time.

Mr. Fourlis: Given that over the last 48 hours the Foreign Ministry stated that the Agios Efstratios issue is being handled on the operational level, and it is deemed appropriate that they be handled at this level on both the military and operational level. What took place between the day before yesterday and today so that we should leave the operational level and go to the political level?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are aware that there is a letter from the head of the Defense General Staff to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Moreover, an order was issued for the Permanent Representative to meet with the Secretary General on this issue.

Mr. Fourlis: What changed, what intervened?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It was judged advisable for this action to be taken.

Mr. Fourlis: What intervened?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It was judged advisable for this action to be taken. That is sufficient.

Mr. Konstantinidis: Has a new date for the exercise been put forward by NATO?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Not yet. As you know, the annual programming of NATO exercises takes place well in advance. Bearing in mind the existing plans, a new date will be sought for this exercise to be carried out.

Mr. Pollatos: Mr. Spokesman, excuse me, after two days it was perceived by the Greek government that its sovereign rights were being called into question, as you stressed a short while ago, and instructions were issued for this meeting? And if you would be so kind – not to split hairs – as to describe these actions. Will it be a briefing? Will it be a meeting at which Mr. Zeppos will deliver a demarche? What kind of meeting will it be? And I point out – as did Mr. Fourlis – that the government realised only after two days had passed that there is an attempt to question Greek sovereign rights.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are bound by the wording of your question, of course. I cannot judge it. But you mentioned a realisation made after 48 hours.

You are offending common sense and being extremely unfair regarding the actions that have been taken by the government, because there was an immediate reaction. You are aware of these reactions, and today I am announcing a further action.

Does this further action suggest, in your assessment, that the incident had not been perceived earlier? That is, do further actions lead you to the conclusion that for 48 hours we hadn’t realised precisely what was going on?

I think the question is completely misleading in the manner in which it was stated.

Mr. Fourlis: Is there anything new? You didn’t answer that.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I repeat, it was deemed appropriate that this specific action be taken. That’s it.

Mr. Santamouris: The first question is whether, with regard to the Agios Efstratios issue, the escalation or full framework of Greek actions has been completed. For this case alone.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I gave you the framework of actions that have been taken, and that stands.

Mr. Santamouris: So it hasn’t been completed.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You have the right to draw any conclusion you wish. I stated what is the case at this time.

Mr. Santamouris: The second question is whether the Greek side has raised the issue with powers or organizations that can influence developments, and whether there was relevant communication within the framework of seeking a date for Ms. Bakoyannis’ meetings in the US.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The issue of the exercise concerns and evolved within the framework of NATO. The actions taken by the Greek government concern this particular framework.

Mr. Santamouris: And a third question: Whether there was communication between the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Greece concerning the issue, in the manner of the contact that existed during the crisis before this most recent one.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I just stated precisely the framework in which this specific issue developed and within which the relevant actions were taken.

Mr. Santamouris: So there was no telephone contact?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you what actions have been taken.

Mr. Symeonidis: What is the Foreign Ministry’s opinion, assessment, of why Turkey is currently raising the issue of an island – and an island that is not mentioned in any treaty?  What is the Foreign Ministry’s assessment? Why is Turkey doing this now?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’m not going to go into such a discussion. I gave you a specific position on the incidents and I gave you the specific actions of the Greek government.

Mr. Symeonidis: The Foreign Ministry does not make assessments of certain demands of the other side?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Of course it does. But they are Foreign Ministry assessments, and as you can see there is no question of disclosing them.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Turkey’s action – I am referring to the same issue again – regarding the demilitarization of Agios Efstratios. Did Turkey’s action take the government by surprise, or was it expected? Did Turkey’s actions as concerns the demilitarization of Agios Efstratios take the government by surprise, or was it expected?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You know, and we all know, very well that the Turkish side has a specific practice regarding the demilitarization of islands. In this specific case, when this particular action was taken, the appropriate and necessary actions were taken for the protection of national interests and national positions.

Mr. Gilson: Mr. Spokesman, how do you interpret the fact that NATO accepted without discussion the request of Turkey for the exercise at Agios Efstratios not to be held?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Where does that conclusion come from?

Mr. Gilson: From the fact that NATO decided immediately for the NATO AWACS not to participate in the exercise over Agios Efstratios.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It was a NATO decision.

Mr. Gilson: Mr. Spokesman, you expressed certain criticisms of Turkey regarding the fact that it requested that the exercise over Agios Efstratios not take place. Could you level the same criticisms at NATO for its decision to . . .

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you know, a decision has been taken postponing the exercise.

Mr. Gilson: I had the impression that this followed the decision . . .

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The decision for the exercise to be postponed had been made due to weather conditions, and of course the particular incidents followed.

Mr. Gilson: So, Mr. Spokesman, there is no issue of NATO responsibility, right? There is no issue of NATO responsibility. So when Mr. Zeppos sees the NATO Secretary General, what exactly will he say to him? Will he deliver a protest, or not?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ve answer all your questions.

Mr. Gilson: You said he would brief the Secretary General of NATO. Will he brief him or . . .

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: He will have a meeting with the NATO Secretary General. Is that enough?

Mr. Gilson: No.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I realise that, but I can’t do anything about it.

Mr. Gilson: Will he deliver a protest to the NATO Secretary General?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: He will have a meeting with the NATO Secretary General on this issue.

Mr. Gilson: Unfortunately, you didn’t answer my question. Can you tell me whether he will deliver a protest?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Sir, there will be a meeting with the Secretary General on the level of Permanent Representative. The subject of the discussion will be the Turkish action, on which we have taken a stance. Another question.

Mr. Meletis: Can you please clarify something for us: Yesterday, Mr. Antonaros [alternate government spokesman] talked about the postponement of the exercise – he said the exercise had been postponed due to inclement weather.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Mr. Antonaros’ statement is valid.

Mr. Meletis: Great, his statement is valid, etc. When was Athens informed by the American commander of Izmir that he can’t send AWACS because it is a region that is disputed by two member states?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding specific operational issues, please address your question to the Defense Ministry.

Mr. Meletis: NATO decided to postpone the exercise – isn’t that operational?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding all of the operational elements, there has already been a briefing from the National Defense Ministry. So I will not discuss operational issues.

I stated two things. First, how the Greek government sees the specific action, and what actions have been deemed necessary and adviseable for the protection, defence of Greek positions and Greek interests. That’s all.

Mr. Meletis: Has there been an signal from the NATO staff that it will not participate . . .

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos:  I have answered all your questions on behalf of the Foreign Ministry.

Ms. Kolliopoulou: I would like you to tell us, if you can, how events unfolded chronologically, i.e., how it happened, when were weather conditions bad, when NATO’s reply came and when the Turkish action took place, in order to see at what level the Foreign Ministry intervened and what is the subject, therefore...

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The whole handling followed a consultation between two ministries. The consultation between the two Ministries resulted in certain conclusions and there have been the appropriate operations and reactions, which I mentioned in detail.

Ms. Kolliopoulou: Yes, it is just that we do not know how exactly events unfolded; the time sequence. When the exercise was decided upon, when…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The essential thing is what I have already mentioned.

Mr. Kottaridis: Given that in his last meeting with Ms. Bakoyannis Mr. Gul put forward 5 or 6 times an issue regarding the “Turkish minority in Thrace”, and also an issue regarding “oil extraction outside Imvros”, he has now raised the question of Agios Efstratios. Do you believe that the appropriate conditions are created for his visit to Athens and is it possible that he will carry out a short tour of Thrace in March?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The job of Foreign Ministers and Foreign Ministries is to meet and discuss. There is no interruption in communication channels between the two states.

Mr. Pollatos: Following on from the question from Mr. Kottaridis, Mr. Gul himself announced from New York that he would be coming to Greece in March. The Chief of Staff stated in an interview published in today’s “Kathimerini” that efforts to create a climate of trust are put to a tough test by incidents such as this. The question is whether you agree with what the Chief of Staff says and whether the Foreign Ministry is concerned or considers that Mr. Gul’s visit is being put to the test and must be re-examined in the light of everything that has been happening in the past few days.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, I am not going to comment on Mr. Xenofotis’s statements. I guess you were expecting that. Secondly, I told you that the Foreign Ministers’ job is to keep a channel of communication open, a channel for dialogue and discussion, and this is useful for the country’s interests and for the handling of our country’s international relations. 

Mr. Fourlis: Under the circumstances, do you consider that the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU is moving forward?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I do not see a link between the two, in the sense that there are specific prerequisites, which Turkey has undertaken and will be judged based on these. These commitments include the obligation to respect good neighbourly relations. This obligation stood before and will continue to stand.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Does Ms. Bakoyannis intend to raise this issue in the next meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: At the moment, it is too early to speak about that; I referred to the actions being taken at the moment.

Mr. Symeonidis: If the weather was fine, if weather conditions permitted it, would the exercise have taken place as planned? 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: That is a hypothetical question. There are real events and real actions and reactions. My position is on those.

Mr. Santamouris: You said earlier that the subject of the meeting between Zeppos and Scheffer would not be this cancellation of the exercise, but it would be Turkey’s demarche. Did I understand your answer correctly? Because if I did, then, I have a question on that. 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Mr. Santamouris, there was a question by one of your colleagues, which limited the subject of the discussions to this cancellation. And I answered that the subject of discussions is not the cancellation itself, but the whole issue, the sequence of events.

Mr. Santamouris: Alright, now I have a clearer understanding of the whole thing. I would therefore like to ask my question. 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Please do.

Mr. Santamouris: Turkey, if it has recourse to NATO for a reason that you consider groundless in terms of international law and the Lausanne Peace Treaty…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It is completely groundless from the point of view of international law, international treaties, including – or particularly, if you like –  the Lausanne Peace Treaty. This is why it is unacceptable.

Mr. Symeonidis: Because you said that the Turkish claim undermines NATO’s cohesion. Because, given that NATO took a neutral stance on the given case, my comment would be – I am not asking a question, but let it be noted as a comment – that obviously NATO is undermining itself as well. 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The fact that problems were created, and no exercise took place, is indeed a development that undermines the Alliance’s cohesion and effectiveness.

Mr. Meletis: Excuse me, Mr. Spokesman, following your statement, why did this exercise not take place, due to the bad weather conditions or to the fact that NATO did not supply AWACS? Please, you previously said something and now you are saying something else. Only one of the two can be true. It cannot be that both are true.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek position is clear. Turkey’s action, as I characterised it, has two results. It is not merely trying to call into question a sovereign right of an allied country, but also has repercussions: it undermines the cohesion and effectiveness of the Alliance. This is the position and it answers all the questions that have been asked.

Mr. Kottaridis: I would like your comment regarding the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between France and Cyprus.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no particular comment to make on this very important Agreement that has been signed between France and the Republic of Cyprus.

Thank you.