Unofficial translation

Thursday, 3 July 2008

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. On Tuesday morning, 8 July, at 10:00, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will open the proceedings of a conference entitled “Green Entrepreneurship, Greek Ideas, Innovations, Products, and Technology in the Global Struggle for the Environment.” This event is organised by the Foreign Ministry at the Yannos Kranidiotis Amphitheatre. The aim of the conference is to register innovative Greek ideas and possibilities for cooperation and financing green entrepreneurship. Within the framework of the same conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Doukas will also give a speech.

On Wednesday, 9 July, at 12.00, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the Christian Social Union (CSU) Parliamentary Group of the German Federal Parliament.

Mr. Valinakis is taking part in the state visit to Austria of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, which began yesterday and will conclude on Saturday, 5 July.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis will address the Smyrni Festival 2008 before the theatrical musical play “Apollo, northern light", to be held at the Ancient Theatre of Ephesos. This event is being organised under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry in association with the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Attica.

On Saturday and Sunday, 6-7 July will attend the World Congress of Pontian Hellenism, which is taking place at Caravel Hotel, where he will give an address in honour of cosmonaut Theodoros Grammatikopoulos, who is of Greek origin.

Finally, I would like to inform you that the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy is organising the 3rd Meeting of the Ambassadors’ Forum on Monday, 7 July, at 12.00. France's Ambassador to Greece Christophe Farnaud is the Forum's keynote speaker. His speech is entitled “the French EU Presidency and challenges for Europe.” The event will be held at the Yannos Kranidiotis Amphitheatre, and Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will give an opening speech.

Are there any questions please?

Ms. Nikolaou: I would like your comment on the meeting between President Christofias and Mr. Talat.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Press communiqué issued following the meeting is moving in the right direction. It is unquestionably a positive development.

Mr. Santamouris: Last week, a U.S. official visited Greece and discussed with certain Greek officials and other actors issues of Jewish property expropriations. I would like to ask on what basis is Greece discussing such issues, given that it has relinquished all of the country’s relevant rights against the occupiers. Secondly, I would like a comment on FYROM’s involvement in the delimitation of borders with Kosovo, when we still don’t have all the required ratifications in favour. And how does Greece intend to address the Kosovo issue when the FYROM name issue is still pending?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no information on the first issue you mentioned. Because the issue in the manner it was raised seems to have a strong and a legal aspect from what I can understand, I would not like to make any comments if I don’t have a full picture.

With regard to the second question, the issue of border delimitation, you know that it is a pending matter and that at least Skopje want this pending issue to be settled. I have nothing further to add that.

With regard to your question on any linkage, connection between Greece’s well-known stance on the Kosovo issue – I don’t need to repeat it, it hasn’t changed at all – and the issue of trying to find a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, there are no and there haven’t been any kind of connections or linkages.

Mr. Papathanassiou: If you have any comments on the developments in Turkey. And a second question, what is your comment with regard to the Gross report on Imvros and Tenedos.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Turkey is going through a difficult period that has the characteristics of a crucial juncture. We hope and we’ve said it earlier that domestic developments will not in the end curb Turkey’s will to work to achieve its European wishes. Finally, these internal developments will not obstruct its ability to proceed to the necessary reforms and adapt to European prerequisites, criteria, principles, and values. And finally that they will not curb its will to work towards continuously improve Greek-Turkish relations and to resolve the Cyprus issue.

The Gross report is a substantial and objective study of the situation in Imvros. It is assessed as such by the Foreign Ministry. Here I would like to add that the Foreign Ministry has a picture on the situation and our Ambassador to Ankara recently – I think it was on 14-15 of June on the occasion of Pentecost – visited Imvros and Tenedos.

Ms. Fryssa: Turkey’s ambassador recently visited Thrace. Do you have a comment or concerns about his visit there?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I would like to use this opportunity to make a general statement. The duties and competencies of diplomatic and consular officials are determined by the relevant international law conventions, and here I am referring to the Vienna Conventions on diplomatic and consular relations.

With regard to what is obvious, I would like to add that insofar as there is respect for relevant provisions of the conventions I mentioned earlier, diplomatic and consular officials have the ability to visit any part of the country, for which they are accredited. This of course stands for Greece as well.

Mr. Meletis: I take it you mean that there is no problem, that they will only visit one particular part of the country.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Any part of the country.

Mr. Meletis: No, I’m saying that there is no problem in their visiting only one part of the country

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You mean as a constant practice?

Mr. Meletis: Yes.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It is a question of choice. It could be considered as the country’s most beautiful region.

Mr. Meletis: Does the same answer also stand for the U.S. Consul General inThessaloniki? I would like a comment on the recently published reports and a comment on whether there was a demarche on the part of the U.S. Embassy about the content of these reports. That is my first question.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I made a general statement. I am not going to specify even further. With regard to these particular reports, you know that I am not going to – this is our firm practice – make any comments on reports published in the press.

Mr. Meletis: Is there a comment on the part of the Foreign Ministry on the activities of the U.S. Consul General or does your previous answer stand? That is one question. And the second question relates to whether there has ever been a demarche or any news from the U.S. side.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: From what I know, it hasn't come to what you mentioned. With regard to your first question, I have given a general answer covering all relevant matters.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Is the Foreign Ministry aware of efforts under way on the part of Greek, European or other bodies to register a “Muslim minority” in Rhodes and Kos?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, I am not aware of such a thing.

Mr. Kirbakis: Given yesterday’s meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr. Talabani, has the Foreign Ministry initiated the opening of a mission in Northern Iraq, do we have anything on that? 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, I have nothing to announce at the moment.

Mr. Athanassopoulos: I would like to come back to the issue of the Gross report. There was an article in the “Eleftherotypia” daily, which included a statement by competent official Mr. Gross that the green light was given by the Greek Embassy, I suppose he means the Greek Delegation, for a visit to Rhodes and Kos and that he will draw up another report on how Greece is treating Turkish people living there. Any comment on that? Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: From what I know, no decision has been made or there is no final decision in the direction you are referring to. I am not going to make any particular comment with regard to intentions. In general, I would like to say that Greece has nothing to hide, has nothing to fear. Greek citizens across the entire territory fully enjoy their rights.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, I would like to ask what were the actions on the part of the Foreign Ministry in order for the Greek position you just gave us to be noted down at the Islamic Conference, the recent meeting of Ministers. And also whether you think – I also raised the same question in my newspaper article - that it is friendly action, whether it is part of improving Greek-Turkish relations, the fact that Mr. Babacan visits Uganda, where the Conference was held and submits this resolution and presents this image about a "Turkish Muslim minority in Thrace”. And secondly, the fact that two months after the revelation of the mistake – which was attributed by many to the momentum of the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s new site which presents, Thrace as a concentration camp – it remains. Was the demarche repeated? What answer did we get on that? And whether you think this is a friendly action and that it is not hostile. Because I take it as a hostile action.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Starting with the issue of the website. You know that the issue was a matter of concern, you know that we have taken a particular position, in fact, at the level of the Foreign Minister. The Greek Embassy in Ankara raises this issue within the framework of its current mission. We are waiting for the Turkish side’s response, we are waiting for the results. There haven't been any thus far.

Ms. Antoniou: Mr. Spokesman, FYROM’s Foreign Minister made a statement yesterday about a “Macedonian minority”, returning properties. On Friday, we've had some information that the issue was raised to Mr. Nimetz by Prime Minister Mr Gruevski. First of all, were you informed that such an issue had been raised in order to be included in the negotiation framework. That is one question. The second question, is that there is at the same time internet activity by FYROM organisations calling people to gather at the Niki border post in order to cross over to the “lost homelands”. Any comment on that?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the first point. You know that negotiations have a particular, defined subject. This is besides the mandate on which Mr. Matthew Nimetz, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Greece-FYROM talks is carrying out his duties and his mission.

The delaying tactics used by Skopje officials are being revealed even more as each day goes by. This is first of all confirmed by a series of unacceptable statements – as to their style and content – but also by an unsuccessful attempt to raise non-existent, unfounded matters.

I would like to once again stress that Greece is not going to be dragged into, and will not take part in, any effort to divert the negotiations from their purpose, which is to find a mutually acceptable solution on the pending name issue. Greece will continue to work constructively towards achieving it. This is determined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This is Mr. Nimetz’s mandate.

And on the second issue, I would like to have the full picture on all the information you mentioned before I give you a comment. We might have the opportunity to discuss it at our next meeting because you said something about 20 July.

Mr. Santamouris: On the same issue, Mr. Spokesman.

Yesterday’s statements by Mr. Milososki show that there is an effort to take advantage of tactics of “putting things on the table in order to withdraw them later”. What is the reaction on the part of the UN Mediator on such tactics?

And what do you reply to the accusation that Athens is the one burdening the agenda with more points each time?

Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to the latter, it is a completely unfounded, groundless and unsound attempt to create impressions. Greece’s negotiating position, the way in which we understand and address the negotiations has been firm from the outset. Everything was clear, everything was public, every thing was crystal-clear.

Furthermore, Greece's firm positions were fully confirmed at the NATO summit in Bucharest. The credibility of our positions is undisputable. They remain the same. They haven’t changed at all. Nothing was added or removed from them.

With regard to the issue of “raising issues in order to withdraw them”, etc. I am not going to make any comments. I gave you a position earlier. As fas as Mr. Nimetz’ reaction is concerned, I would like to refer you to the statements he recently made in Athens and all other public statements he has made with regard to this issue.

Ms. Boudouri: Today’s main news around the world’s media is the liberation of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt. The issue touches upon the civil tackling of terrorism on an international and a European level. First of all, I would like to ask for a comment on this and, secondly, I would like to ask to what extent does this particular operation and the development of the European policy on the fight against terrorism constitutes a precedent.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to this development first of all. Of course we welcome the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and all other hostages held by the FARC. It was a successful outcome, a happy ending of a human tragedy, a brutal and inhumane 6-year catpivity. And this of course is case for joy and emotion for all of us. I would also like to express the hope that the remaining hostages in such difficult captivity circumstances will also be set free soon.

With regard to the wider issue, I believe that the characteristics of a European policy on tackling terrorism should be a balance between the need to address the causes and fertile ground for terrorism, on the one hand, and the determination for directly combating and punishing those involved in terrorist acts. I think that the characteristics of a European philosophy on how to tackle terrorism are the ones leaving a clear European mark on how to address this major challenge of our era.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, let me remind you of a question you haven't answered. What actions have you taken on the Islamic Conference? Beyond that, I would like to ask at what level the decision was made at the Foreign Ministry to refer to the Plenary Session as is the right thing and not to appeal against the European Court’s judgments on the associations in Thrace.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: On what level was is made?

Mr. Meletis: Yes, who made the decision? Was there a meeting of the legal department? Who decided this? Has a lawyers' office undertaken our representation there? Or is it the Ministry’s legal service? When was the request submitted to refer this matter to the plenary session?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos:All political decisions are approved and made at the level of political leadership. There are no decisions, no actions decided upon without instructions or the complete agreement of the political leadership. Therefore, in order to make this matter clear, this decision was made at the level of political leadership.

Secondly, which matters are being referred to the plenary session. These are two matters. With regard to all the remaining issues you raised, I remind you of the Minister’s answer, i.e., that when there is anything new, it will be announced.

Mr. Athanassopoulos: I would like to ask for a comment concerning the answer you gave to this question. You have not been asked for anything other than that. You have been asked when the request was submited. It would be interesting to know that.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: If this is indeed so important, you will be briefed on it.

Mr. Athanassopoulos: Do you have a comment on the joint Greek-Israeli exercise, which it seems to me that it was blown out of proportion by the international press, with everyone talking about a “grand rehearsal”, an attack against Iran. And more specifically, how has the authorization process for this exercise evolved. Did the Ministry of Defense receive another request by the Hellenic Air Force General Staff? Did they ask for your approval? An authorization and what else? Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Within the framework of the two countries’ bilateral relations, there is also a framework of cooperation, a Memorandum of Understanding, in the military field. This is a common occurrence within the framework of developing inter-state relations.

With regard to this particular matter and based on the Defense Ministry’s announcements, the operational characteristics of this exercise are not in agreement with, do not allow for, assessments and misgivings, such as those featuring in certain newspaper articles.

It has nothing to do with everything that was written in the papers. My answer is categorical.

Mr. Athanassopoulos: Does the fact that Israeli aircraft used training sand and cement bombs not tell you anything about a possible link with an attack against Iran?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos:

First of all, I am not aware of the technical and operation details that you mentioned, I do not questions them, but I don’t know them and in any event...

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: (off microphone)...

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I already answered your question.

You are asking me something very specific that has to do with a type of exercise and the use of specific ammunition, etc.

No, I don’t know if these things happened. I don’t question them, but I don't know them either. In any event, I am not competent, I am not in a position - I am not a military analyst – to give you an answer on that.

But please keep in mind the initial statement that was made after the first day that the issue of these reports came up, and also the answer on the part of the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Vatikiotis: Mr Spokesman, I would like to ask whether this exercise – coupled with the workings within the European Union for closer relations with Israel – forebode closer defense and military cooperation between Greece and Israel. And my second question is whether you believe that such exercises aid Greece’s relations and good neighbourly relations in the wider region.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to the first question, I have no such information.

With regard to the second question: These exercises – when and if they are training exercises, like this particular exercise – are not a threat to anyone and do not cause issues of good neighbourly relations or anything else.

This exercise was carried out within the framework of interstate cooperation between two countries, without other extents that would justify concerns like the ones you touched upon.

Mr. Meletis: I would like to come back to the issue of the Islamic Conference. Has the Foreign Ministry taken any actions?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Whether there have been diplomatic actions. There are always diplomatic actions, this is the answer to your question Mr. Meletis and you know it. As you know, Greece does not take part in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

Mr. Meletis: And one last question. I will insist upon my initial question. Are you sure that there hasn’t been a protest on the part of the U.S., the U.S. Embassy, either to the Minister or to the Secretary General on the issue of the the U.S. Consul General in Thessaloniki?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You already raised that issue, I remember. I remember you raising it and I think I told you I have no information that would confirm what you are asking.

Mr. Meletis: Ok, good, you have no information.

Ms. Maltezou: I wanted to ask whether the issue of the exercise was discussed at Ms. Bakoyannis with Mr. Barak.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, I think there was a very brief reference in this direction, fully confirming what I told you earlier. i.e., that this exercise had no connection whatsoever with various news reports.

Ms. Maltezou: Has there been any kind of protest by the Iranian Embassy to the Foreign Ministry on this issue?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that there was a discussion within the framework of regular contacts between diplomatic missions and the Greek Foreign Ministry, and that this issue was closed after all that was said. But the discussion was not held within the framework of, and did not have the form of, a demarche.

Thank you.