Athens, 5 June 2008
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis would like to issue the following statement:
“Today is yet another occasion for greater sensitivity – greater vigilance on the part of citizens and governments – in confronting the major, common problem of the environment and climate change. This is a problem that knows no borders, and that is why we all have to deal with it together. Confronting this problem will require joint, coordinated efforts. Within this framework, Greece, too, is actively participating in all of the international initiatives, the international fora, that are aimed precisely at improving the environment and confronting the problems created by climate change.”
Regarding the programme of activities:
At 18:00 today, the Foreign Minister will address the Special Parliamentary Committee on ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Tomorrow, 6 June, Ms. Bakoyannis and Deputy Foreign Ministers Valinakis and Kassimis will participate in the programme of French President Mr. Sarkozy’s visit to Greece.
Today, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis will participate in the proceedings of the 15th Ministerial Meeting of the Mediterranean Forum, which is taking place in Algiers on 5 and 6 June. On Tuesday, 10 June, at 10:00, Mr. Valinakis will deliver a welcome speech at the Meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Parliamentary Assembly, which will take place here in Athens, in Vouliagmeni.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Doukas is at this very moment receiving Singapore Ambassador Mr. Philip Eng, here at the Foreign Ministry. At 12:00, he will meet at the Foreign Ministry with Iranian Trade Minister Mr. Μehdi Ghazanfari. On Monday, 9 June, Mr. Doukas will attend a luncheon with the Prime Minister of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mr. Milorad Dodik, who is carrying out a private visit to our country.
On Tuesday, 10 June, Mr. Doukas will speak at a business conference being organized within the framework of the Vietnamese President’s visit to Greece. Finally, on Wednesday, 11 June, he will participate in the meeting of the Greek-Uzbekistani Joint Interministerial Committee, which will take place in Athens, and immediately afterwards he will address the business conference taking place within the framework of the visit to Greece of Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister for International Economic Relations.
Today – as we speak – Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis is participating in the special plenary session of the Hellenic Parliament on Greeks abroad. On Monday, he will participate in the meeting of the Board of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, which will take place at the King George hotel.
At 11:00, Deputy Ministers Kassimis and Doukas will take part in the President of the Republic’s – Mr. Papoulias’ – talks with Vietnamese President Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, who is on an official visit to our country.
At 18:30, Mr. Kassimis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with his Vietnamese counterpart, Mr. Dao Viet Trang.
On Tuesday, 10 June, Mr. Kassimis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the members of the board of the American Hellenic Institute, who will be visiting our country from 7 to 13 June.
On Thursday, 12 June, Mr. Kassimis will be in Volos to participate in the in the ‘Argonaut Campaign’ international conference, which is being organised by the Greek-Georgian friendship group of the Hellenic Parliament, in cooperation with the Municipality of Volos.
Finally, let me mention that the Foreign Ministry and the Croatian Embassy in Athens are organising a photograph exhibition entitled “Lighthouses of the Adriatic Sea”. The exhibition will take place from 10 to 17 June, at the exhibit hall in the Foreign Ministry building at 1 Akadimias St., and will be open to the public from 10:00-16:00 during the week, and from 10:00 to 14:00 on that weekend – 14-15 June. Admission is free.
That’s it for announcements. Are there any questions, please?
Ms. Peloni: Mr. Spokesman, I want to ask about the problem with the Hellenic Contingent in Kosovo being denied transit, entry at the FYROM border. When do you expect this matter to be settled, as the Foreign Minister said yesterday that it was a NATO and KFOR matter?
And a second question regarding the minor incident we has last week at NATO with a Greek officer and his Skopje colleagues – whether you are aware of it, and your comment, please.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding your first question, I’ll stand on the statements made yesterday by the Foreign Minister and Defense Minister Mr. Meimarakis, and, of course, the initial stance issued by the Foreign Ministry when the situation first arose. This is an issue for NATO and KFOR, and I assume there will be developments in the coming days.
Regarding the second matter you mentioned, yes, I am aware of the incident. But it was not – as reported in the press – simply a matter of a reaction to the name on the uniforms worn by FYROM soldiers at a specific NATO exercise. It was an issue of their accreditation.
Anyway, I won’t say anything further on that.
What I do want to say is that small matters of this kind, like the one we just referred to, or matters of major importance or substance, like that concerning Greece’s participation in the peacekeeping force that the Alliance has in Kosovo, in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions – all of these problems confirm in the most categorical manner the soundness of Greek policy and the Greek government’s decision that the name issue be resolved in a mutually acceptable manner.
Ms. Bekatorou: Regarding the KFOR issue, have you had any reaction, any answer, from NATO or from KFOR?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I know that this issue is being addressed at this moment by the competent KFOR mechanisms, as well as by the Alliance. I have nothing beyond that.
Mr. Santamouris: I would like to know whether what we have heard is true – that NATO has notified the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that its military personnel can use any name their country chooses on their military uniforms, and not that decided on by someone else. Whether you are aware of something along these lines – whether it is true.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I said in my previous answer that – as far as I know, as this particular issue is not the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, as you can see – there was an issue that I would say was primarily an issue of the accreditation of the specific officers from FYROM during the discussion that took place concerning the exercise. I have nothing further to discuss or add on that.
What must be borne in mind is that this indicates the need for us to move ahead as we should with serious, credible negotiations under the UN – and, as you can see, this also concerns the other side, for whom we are currently waiting to come to the negotiations – to resolve this issue.
Mr. Santamouris: Allow me to ask another question, then, based on your answer. By what reasoning can we, as Greece, assume that NATO is addressing the issue if NATO has notified our neighbours that they can use whatever name they like, whether in accreditation or in action.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am not aware that they have been told that.
Mr. Meletis: Did NATO’s reply concern the accreditation?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will stand on my initial answer. I set out the incident in its proportions. I think the issue has been covered.
Ms. Voudouri: In recent statements, Ms. Bakoyannis stated that we are expecting a lot from the French Presidency. What is it that we are expecting from the French Presidency, and what commitments will be sought during tomorrow’s visit of the French President to Athens.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The next Presidency of the European Council will be held by a large European country that is known to everyone for its firm support for the progress of the European endeavour. The French Presidency is of particular importance because France’s European policy has a tradition of reinforcing the European Union and its policies.
In that sense – and as one of the most pro-European and firmly convinced members of the European Union vis-à-vis the need to promote and strengthen the EU – Greece really shares the ideas and views of French European policy, and is awaiting the French Presidency with great anticipation. That was the meaning of the Foreign Minister’s statement.
The discussions that will take place tomorrow, with the arrival of the French President – and this visit is taking place only a few days before France formally takes up the EU Presidency – will concern in large part the substance of the French Presidency.
Mr. Athanasopoulos: There is information from Washington and an article in today’s Greek press concerning the displeasure of a senator – who is well disposed to Greek interests in Congress – at the Greek stance on the issue of Cuba. Do you have any comment on that?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have a general stance to take regarding Greece’s policy on the matter of Cuba. Greece’s sensitivity to issues of human rights and democratic freedoms is well known. Our sensitivity concerning freedom of expression is equally well known.
You are aware that Greece is participating constructively in shaping the common European policy on Cuba. Among other things, the June 2007 European Council expressed its dismay that the human rights situation has not changed substantially and that the Cuban government continues to deny citizens internationally recognised civil, political and economic rights and freedoms.
Furthermore, the Council called anew for the Cuban government to unconditionally release all political detainees, confirming that this issue is a basic priority of EU policy on Cuba. The Council also reiterated its appeal to the Cuban government to grant freedom of the press and expression, calling on the Cuban government to cooperate on this issue.
As an EU member, Greece helped to formulate this European Council decision. So this position is Greece’s position as well.
Mr. Meletis: I assume that this very well-composed answer that you gave us, Mr. Spokesman – given that it is a stance of principle – concerns other countries as well.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We have a single stance on human rights. It is a stance of principle and is fully in line with EU policy.
Mr. Fourlis: I wanted to ask whether you have a comment on what appears to be Barack Obama’s victory in the Democratic primaries, which would make him a candidate in the U.S. presidential elections.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, Mr. Fourlis, I have no comment, and I’m sure you didn’t expect me to have one.
Throughout this democratic process, the American people have the first and the final word on their choices. When we have the results of the U.S. elections at the end of the year, Greece will collaborate with the administration chosen by the American people, within the framework of our traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with the U.S.
Ms. Kourbela: Mr. Koumoutsakos, I would like to ask whether there will be any discussion of Mr. Sarkozy’s Union for the Mediterranean proposal during his visit, and whether any developments are expected at the Summit Meeting.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The French proposal for the Union for the Mediterranean is without a doubt one of the important, front-line issue on the French Presidency’s agenda and programme. The programme has not been announced officially, but everyone knows that it is one of the top issues. It is an issue, as I had the opportunity to say at one of our previous briefings, on which Greece has specific views that it has submitted. We believe that this initiative will be even more productive if, beyond its basic direction, it focuses on the effort to achieve practical results. That is, specific, practical plans and projects that concern cooperation between Mediterranean states that are not EU members and EU member states.
Mr. Pollatos: Can you tell us what date has been set for the opening of the new round of meetings with Mr. Nimetz on the Skopje issue, and whether 9 July is still a target-date for the Greek government for the resolution of this issue. And a second part: Whether there has been any communication between the Foreign Ministry and the Presidency, which notified the Skopje side that it would be better if Mr. Crvenkovski didn’t travel to Greece on a Macedonian Airlines aircraft.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is no information at this time on the next moves Mr. Nimetz will be making. What is certain is that Mr. Nimetz is evaluating the results following the elections in our neighbouring country, and he will make his decisions.
Beyond that, from the very outset Greece said that we are waiting for the negotiations to start again – negotiations that must take place in a credible manner; with a credible collocutor from the other side, whose word will also be binding for our neighbouring country during the course of the negotiations.
Regarding the matter you raised concerning FYROM’s President: The event in question is a Meeting of Southeast European heads of state on the sea, river and lake routes of Southeast Europe. This is the 6th Meeting of an initiative that began six years ago. It is a set of meetings that neither concerns nor is part of any of the regional cooperation frameworks in the region. Its purpose is the dialogue on culture, and that is why this particular event is being organized by the Ministry of Culture. It concerns a dialogue on cultural issues, and it is on the level of heads of state.
In Varna, in 2005, it was agreed that Greece would host this year’s meeting. UNESCO has participated in these meetings from the outset. Because the discussion takes place on the level of heads of state, it is the practice for the head of the host state to invite his counterparts. That’s it on the substance of the event. That is the first thing I wanted to say.
The other is that Greece has a specific, well known policy that it has followed consistently for years now and that concerns the regulation of permits for the landing of FYROM aircraft in Greece.
Mr. Kottaridis: I would like to know if in future the Greek government will recognise the electoral result in Skopje and whether we are soon expecting a message of congratulations to Mr. Gruevski, as is usually the case.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece's position with regard to the latest elections in our neighbouring country is still the same as the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry the following day. I have nothing new to add to that.
As you know, there is an issue raised persistently by international organisations monitoring the electoral and pre-electoral process, but also by other international agents such as the European Union and individual states. That is, that new, safe elections must be carried out in the areas where voting was interrupted either due to sometimes bloody incidents or due to blatant irregularities.
We will see how this issue develops in the neighbouring country and Greece will take a stance accordingly.
κ. Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, I have two questions. the one relates to Mr. Babacan’s statement when he had a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Ms. Bakoyannis, i.e., that no minority issue had been raised by the Turkish side. A text from the Turkish Foreign Ministry from 31 May in answer to a Cumhuriyet article says that a minority issue was discussed and such issues are always discussed in light of reciprocity, and it was within this framework that a discussion was held. I would like to ask you again, was a minority issue raised by Mr. Babacan at that particular meeting? Could you now give us some fresh new information from that meeting? And secondly, what happened in the end in Evros? We hear that the affair was settled, but unfortunately the local authorities handling the matter were not able to give me any information whatsoever about the exact settlement reached in Evros because they say that the matter is being handled by other people.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the last point. What still stands is what I told you on a previous occasion. Such matters are being handled by local authorities; By each competent prefecture.
The development is that the Province of Edirne has – as far as I am in a position to know – sent its answer to the Secretariat General of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. No problem has arisen from the content of this answer and that is why I was informed that the matter is considered closed.
Mr. Meletis: No, I am asking something very specific. Who deemed the Province’s answer satisfactory?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It was deemed satisfactory at the level of management.
With regard to your first question. If I remember well, and I think I do remember well, when an informal briefing was given on what was discussed by the Foreign Minister and Mr. Babacan in their one-on-one meeting in Strasbourg, it was mentioned to diplomatic correspondents interested in the subject of their discussions that Mr. Babacan mentioned to the Foreign Minister the reasons for which the legislative settlement of the religious institutions (vakif) issue had not been raised by the Turkish side.
Mr. Meletis: The Turkish Foreign Ministry’s announcement admits that this was said. I am asking a different thing, whether Mr. Babacan raised a minority issue irrespective of the vakif law in Turkey. Some other issue with regard to the Greek law, the religious institutions, the muftis, any other issue at that particular meeting?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, from what I have been informed, no minority issue was raised at that meeting in the sense that you put it. Nothing other than the discussion that I told you about and on which I briefed you.
Mr. Fourlis: Mr. Babacan mentioned in his speech yesterday in the United States that minority issues are among the issues he discusses with the Foreign Minister and the Greek side; in the plural and not in the singular. I suppose this means it is a two-sided …
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I would like to make a distinction between the previous question I was asked with regard to a particular meeting and the general statement that is included in yesterday’s speech by Mr. Babacan. It is well known that Greece also discusses these issues. You are aware of this. It has been repeatedly stated by the Minister herself. Our side and the Turkish side raise issues, there are references to issues of the Muslim minority in Thrace. This has been said repeatedly.
Furthermore, what our side has repeatedly said is that there is no mechanism or process for a systematic discussion on such issues between the two Ministries.
Mr. Meletis: I don’t think Mr. Fourlis said anything about committees and working groups either. Mr. Erdogan had announced that the two Ministers would discuss issues of the two minorities from then on, and no one came out and denied it. And this is seen, this is what Mr. Babacan is saying, this is what the Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement is saying and this is what you are also confirming, that we are discussing issues of the two minorities. Isn’t that what you are saying? Isn’t that what Mr. Erdogan said? He didn't talk about setting up a working group. He said that there is a discussion between the two Ministries.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I detect an unjustified surprise in your question's wording. There are statements of the Foreign Minister that Greece is not afraid to discuss anything that it has very strong positions, it is self-confident and does not believe that there are issues that are not to be discussed.
Mr. Santamouris: Up until a few years ago, what we knew as our official policy was that issues having to do with the Greeks of Istanbul are an issue that also concerns Turkey's European obligations.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece raises this as a member of the European Union.
Mr. Santamouris: Wait a minute, so that we can understand. With regard to the Muslim community of Thrace the issue relates to domestic law, it is to be handled by the Interior Ministry, etc. It is precisely based on this logic that we thought – given that this was the official policy – that there is no point of convergence – let’s put it this way – between the two matters. Now I see that there is indeed such a point. This is not de facto bad, but it should be explained to us.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is no change in the Greek stance. What we have repeatedly said, I am saying it again because it was not clear in your question, that these matters are considered separately; there is no linkage between the obligations taken on by Turkey as an EU candidate country on issues of respect for religious and other freedoms and the way in which Greece implements – successfully, in fact – a policy of equal rights and equality before the law vis-a-vis the Muslim minority in Thrace. I repeat that there is no change in our stance.
Mr. Fourlis: Could we at least know whether the Minister will visit Vienna and Salzburg and whether she will watch the football match?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t think she’s going to go.
Mr. Fourlis: And the second question, whether you will brief us today or next week – I suppose next week – on Cyprus.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think it would be better for us to have the discussion on the Cyprus visit next week.
Mr. Pollatos: You told us that these issues are separate – the way in which Greece successfully implements…
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No linkage. These are separate issues.
Mr. Pollatos: Yes. Then why is the Greek government discussing bilaterally with Turkey issues that have been raised within the framework of Turkey's European course? What are we aiming at, can you explain this to us? Because I cannot see why we are not consolidating – on a European level – the fact that Greece is not afraid to discuss anything because it has very strong positions and we are still holding discussions on a fully bilateral level.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don't think that my answer left any room for misinterpretations or misunderstandings. First of all, Greece is a member of the European Union. As a member of the European Union – shaping decisions, texts, criteria and prerequisites for candidate countries jointly with other member states – it raises such issues. It has not only the ability, but also the obligation to raise them. All the more so, given that there is also a special interest on the part of Greece.
I should remind you that the issue of the Patriarchate’s operation and recognition, the issue of the Halki Seminary, all these are not bilateral issues. They are European issues raised by the Greek side as part of the agenda relating to Turkey's European course and not to bilateral issues.
Ms. Tsorakis: If I am not mistaken, Foreign Ministers are discussing the issue of illegal immigration in Luxemburg these days.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Today, I think..
Ms. Tsorakis: Precisely, yes. We are hearing that in today’s meeting and later in the course of the French EU Presidency the European Union’s external borders will be determined.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have the full picture on that and I would not like to give you an answer based on unclear information. I hope I will be able to give you an answer that will cover your question this afternoon.
Thank you.