Athens, 6 November 2008

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis sent a message to Mr. John Biden yesterday, congratulating him on his election to the office of Vice President of the U.S. and wishing him every success in his duties.

In her message, Ms. Bakoyannis expressed the conviction that the traditional bonds of friendship and constructive cooperation that characterize the two allied and partner countries will be further strengthened and that the two countries will collaborate closely on international issues such as the consolidation of peace and stability in Southeast Europe and the Middle East.

Regarding the programme: Today at 12:00, as you know, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with her Georgian counterpart. The meeting is to focus on the recent crisis, particularly from the perspective of Greece’s upcoming OSCE chairmanship, Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO, Greek-Georgian bilateral political and economic relations, and of course the situation and presence of the ethnic Greek community in Georgia.

On Monday, 10 November, the Minister will participate in the proceedings of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. A meeting of Defence and Development Ministers is also scheduled. Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis and Doukas will accompany the Minister to Brussels.

Topics on the GAERC agenda include a discussion of European Security and Defence Policy, developments in the Western Balkans, the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo and Burma/Myanmar. They will also make preparations for the 14 November EU-Russia Summit Meeting.

On the margins of the GAERC, there will also be two Association Council meetings: EU-Tunisia and EU-Jordan. Still other meetings will include meetings of the EU Troika with the OSCE, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the South African Development Community.

On Wednesday, 12 November, at 10:30, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the Greek MPs participating in the OSCE parliamentary assembly. At 12:00 the same day, she will meet with OSCE Secretary General Mr. de Brichambaut – all this ahead of Greece’s taking on the OSCE chairmanship. Ms. Bakoyannis and Mr. de Brichambaut will make statements to the press following their meeting.

On Thursday, 13 November, within the framework of the Ambassadors’ Forum, there will be a presentation of the basic guidelines and priorities of the Greek OSCE Chairmanship. Speakers will include the Foreign Minister, the OSCE Secretary General, and Greece’s permanent representative to OSCE headquarters.

Since 30 October, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis has been carrying out a tour of Latin America. Today he is in Santiago, Chile, where he will declare the opening of the SAE Regional Assembly of SAE Latin America. Mr. Kassimis has already visited Brazil and Uruguay, where he had meetings with the Greek community and Foreign Ministry officials. The last stop on his tour will be Argentina, and he will be back in Greece on 11 November.

In a short while, Mr. Doukas will deliver a speech at the 2008 Southeast European Investment Conference. The venue for that Conference is the Intercontinental here in Athens.

That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.

Ms. Koridi: As you know, when President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden were Senators, they expressed a view in favour of the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus. Do you think that they will implement these same views and that in general their conduct will be more positive vis-à-vis the just resolution of the Cyprus issue? Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The stances you referred to are well known – we know that in their previous terms and their previous capacities President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden took specific stances that converge with Greece’s.

There is no question that this is a very good, positive basis. Beyond that, we look forward to substantial, close and effective cooperation, because there are very strong foundations. The strong foundations of a traditional, friendly and substantial allied and partner relationship with the U.S., within the framework of mutual respect and mutual understanding. So we look forward to this cooperation and we hope that our bilateral relations on given issues, as well as our cooperation within the framework of international organizations, will be productive and substantial.

Mr. Konstantinidis: Mr. Spokesman, I would like you to comment on the EU Progress Reports on Turkey and Skopje. This is a Report that essentially closes the EU-accession door on both Turkey and Skopje if they don’t comply with the EU’s decisions regarding the Cyprus issue and the Skopje name issue. Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that this year, too, what Greece can reiterate in all seriousness, commenting on the two Reports – each with their different natures, of course – is that Greece would sincerely have hoped that the reports be different from what they are. That is, we would have hoped to have seen  real progress, substantial compliance with the preconditions, the rules, the prerequisites that the two countries have undertaken to comply with in their status as candidate countries.

As you know, the Reports are realistic – they describe the real state of affairs. Beyond that, in particular regarding issues of interest to Greece, I must say that the statements on these issues are completely satisfying to the Greek side. In this year’s report, the matters of interest to Greece are set out in full, with no alteration as concerns the acquis, the previous texts that refer to the one country and the other.

It must be said that this is the result of the hard work that has been done, mainly on the political level, but also on the administrative level.

Mr. Meletis: A question on what you just said, Mr. Spokesman. Is the Greek stance set down somewhere in the Report. I don’t think it has changed: That resolution of the name issue is a precondition for this country’s accession to the EU?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The exact wording …

Mr. Meletis: No, I’m asking something specific. Forget the wording. Because you said that it is completely satisfying. Does it satisfy the Greek position? My question is clear.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Included in both the Progress Report and the enlargement strategy is the precise wording of last June’s Conclusions regarding the vital importance of the promotion of good neighbourly relations and the finding of a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, under the auspices of the UN.

Special mention is made that the name issue has negative repercussions for bilateral relations with an EU member state – Greece.

Mr. Meletis: We don’t need the European Union to tell us that. Don’t we know it? That’s a 17-year difference, Mr. Spokesman. Pardon the observation. I ask specifically: Is it stated anywhere that resolution of the name issue is a prerequisite for accession or the opening of accession negotiations?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It is – or it is clear from the text of the Conclusions of last June.

Mr. Meletis: Can you read the part where it is? Read the specific reference. Because we are coming back to a discussion that took place in June, and you remember the result.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ll read you the English text, and you can interpret it to the extent that it is open to interpretation.

Mr. Meletis: So there is no explicit statement – it’s an interpretation.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek government makes its own interpretation, with which it promotes its positions within the European Union.

“Maintaining good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, remains essential.”

This wording, and I think you know how such texts are drawn up and what the spirit of these texts is when they are drawn up by the European Union’s bureaucracy. We think that this is a perfectly sufficient basis for us to continue on and to support the policy that we are following.

Mr. Meletis: And a second question. When will you answer Mr. Nimetz regarding his latest proposal?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The comments are to be given early next week or some time next week.

Mr. Meletis: Is it still the Greek position that there is no issue of nationality or language in the negotiations?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Our position remains that based on the Security Council resolution, the subject of the negotiations is the name issue, and this is the position Greece supports and has supported throughout this time.

Ms. Kourbela: I have two questions. Marseille had the result that Greece entered the five-member Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean. Is there any other result that satisfies the Greek side? That’s one.

The second question concerns Turkey. Has there been any progress on the matter of the readmission agreement that the European Union wants to sign with Turkey?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ll start with the second question: Unfortunately, no. And this is included in the report as an area that needs progress, where none has been made.

Regarding your first question, you give me the opportunity to say two things, because the Union for the Mediterranean issue didn’t receive the coverage I think it deserved, due to the elections in the U.S.

Because in Marseille, a further, real step was take towards the realization of a vision that is difficult to implement: the creation of a Union for the Mediterranean. We can say – and the Foreign Minister said this – that in Marseille the Union for the Mediterranean took on a solid form. Certain tricky matters left over from the Paris Summit Meeting were resolved – e.g., the Secretariat’s headquarters, the co-presidencies. And we also had the adoption of a political declaration on the Middle East problem and the Union’s work programme for 2009.

Specifically regarding the 2009 work programme of the Union for the Mediterranean, Greece is scheduled to host a Ministerial Conference on transport in 2009, pursuant to the announcement made by the Prime Minister in Paris.

It was decided that the Barcelona Process be renamed the Union for the Mediterranean. This has its significance as a political message. The Secretariat’s headquarters will be in Barcelona. There were other candidacies: Tunisia, Morocco, Malta. But it has now been decided that it will be in Barcelona.

Beyond the Secretary General, who will always be from a southern Mediterranean country, there will be five alternate secretary generals, one of whom will be from Greece. And this is a specific, tangible result. We think that it is a satisfactory result. This came as a result of work, and is indicative of the image and positive reception of Greece’s activities and position in the Mediterranean.

Another point. An agreement was reached – following long negotiations – on the level of the Arab League’s participation in the Union. It was ensured that the Arab League will participate in all of the meetings and on all of the levels of the proceedings of the Union for the Mediterranean. It will have the right to take the floor, but not to vote.  

And at the same time, a positive message was sent to Israel with the provision for one of the alternate secretary general positions to be filled by Israel.

Let’s talk a little here about Greece’s presence and the response to Greece’s positions during the discussions. Many delegations referred positively to the Greek programmes that have been announced. I remind you here that we have already announced a series of three programmes that have been submitted by the Foreign Ministry and co-competent Ministries.

First, Sea Corridors in the Eastern Mediterranean, with emphasis on linking the ports of the countries of the Mediterranean.

Second, the solar energy plan – the use of solar energy to air-condition buildings.

Third, water management in the Mediterranean – the creation of a network for improved management of water.

These are the programmes that have been supported by Greece and have been presented and met with a positive response, as I said. Let me remind you here – in closing, because I think we now have the whole framework – that the Union for the Mediterranean has adopted six thematic units so that specific implementation programmes can be carried out by the member states. De-pollution of the Mediterranean, Land and Sea Corridors, Solar Energy, Civil Protection, Education and Research and SMEs.

It is really a visionary plan, based, however, on a rationale of practical steps. Beyond that, the resolution of the political matters I referred to was difficult. Tough negotiations were required in order to strike the right balance.

Today, we can say that this is a new day and that the Union for the Mediterranean has a future.

Mr. Pollatos: The day before yesterday 4 Turkish aircraft flew over Farmakonissi. Is this an indication of what you said you wanted to see, i.e., progress in Turkey’s negotiations with regard to its compliance with European standards? Has there been a reaction on the part of Greece? And if so, could you tell us what the response was on the part of Ankara?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the specifics. There was immediately an urgent demarche regarding this particular incident. I think the demarche was made yesterday.

With regard to the issue you raised. We express the hope for there to be progress on the basis of specific actions by candidate countries. Not progress that is general and vague, as a result of momentum or a simple political will that does not correspond to specific actions. When I expressed the hope, I said that it is a hope for progress based on particular actions. That is, real progress made by countries that are interested.  So this is what we hope for. Beyond that, these states have to take particular actions.

More particularly, with regard to the link you made in your question between Turkey's stance, its behaviour with this massive military activity in the Aegean, there is a particular reference – and I ask you to remember it – in the Commission’s Progress Report. In the Progress Report, the whole section of the December 2007 Conclusions on Turkey’s commitment is reiterated; the commitment to respect the principles of good neighbourly relations and peaceful conflict resolution pursuant to the UN Charter, including the International Court’s judgment, and to avoid any threat or action that could have a negative impact on good neighbourly relations and efforts towards peaceful conflict resolution.

We think that this is a very specific reference that clearly covers and sends the appropriate messages on incidents such as the one you mentioned and regarding which there was – as I told you – an urgent demarche.

Mr. Gilson: What is your assessment on what Mr. Obama’s election will signal for international relations and a series of critical issues, such as relations between the European Union and the United States, relations between the United States and Russia and the Caucasus, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, I would like to remind you that only 24 hours have passed since the elections, and in any event, we are at the beginning of a 3-month process of briefing and preparation in order for the new administration to take up its duties in mid-January next year. This is with regard to the time frame, in which we are having this discussion.

Beyond that, the positions that President-elect Obama presented during the pre-election process and in some very important written articles, give us – and this is an initial conclusion – a clear sign of his awareness of the risks and challenges that the international community is faced with.

And this suggests that Mr. Obama will move in the direction of a more active, more mobilised multilateral diplomacy, seeking consensus and cooperation. This is a general tendency. This is a general tendency and you realise that it is undeniably a positive conclusion of the positions that he has so far taken.

It is, of course, within this framework that Greece and all its European partners look forward to a new substantial transatlantic cooperation, and it is thought that the election of the new President-elect is a promising point of departure in this direction, towards a closer relationship, on the basis of an equal relationship between the European Union and the United States.

And a discussion has been launched within the framework of the EU, on the initiative of the French Presidency, during the two latest informal Councils of Foreign Ministers,  on a text focusing on transatlantic relations and other issues that are of concern to the international agenda, that will become the basis for the start of a new, more meaningful and more substantial transatlantic relationship.

Ms. Tassouli: My question relates to the visa issue. The U.S. Ambassador to Athens made a statement on the TV channel "MEGA" leaving the possibility open for Greece's inclusion in the "visa waiver" programme under this administration, under the Bush administration. I would like your comment on that.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It will be a positive development, which all of us will welcome.

Mr. Pollatos: Yesterday,  Ms. Bakoyannis made statements following the Cabinet meeting, saying that efforts are being made to arrange a meeting between Greek diplomats and members of Mr. Obama’s team. Do you have anything more to tell us on that? Has a meeting been arranged?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: At the level of officials - I mean, diplomats and officials – I can assure you that there  have been contacts – an acquaintance if you will – but, in any event, there have been meetings and contacts at the level of officials with Mr. Obama’s team.

So the meeting that you are referring to is a meeting at the level of political leaderships that Greece is looking forward to. It is reasonable and unquestionable for any communication – and the sooner the better – to foster mutual understanding on issues that are of concern to the two countries.

Given that as of 1 January – that is, the first month of the President-elect’s presidency – Greece will assume the OSCE Chairmanship, there are important issues that are of concern to the United States and Russia and I think that on these issues there will be a field of communication and cooperation, apart from the Greek side's willingness to have bilateral meetings at the level of political leaderships.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, with regard to the Progress Report that you mentioned, you said that it satisfies Greece’s positions. I was struck that this statement on your part, i.e., that Cyprus – from what I have understood – is not that satisfied with the Report in relation to the Cyprus issue and Turkey's obligations vis-à-vis Cyprus. That is one thing.  The second question is – in relation to what you've said – that is, given that our position is still “no citizenship, no language” – whether it means we have rejected since 11 September, when the first ideas were put forward, all these tricks by Mr. Nimetz, putting the issue of nationality and language in the appendix of a UN Security Council resolution. I guess that these have been rejected since 11 September, isn’t that right?   

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the last point. In my previous answer, I did nothing more than to repeat Greece’s well-known position, which is based on UN Security Council resolutions that form the basis for the negotiations.

The negotiations have a specific content and a particular objective: reaching a solution on the name issue. Beyond that, you referred to proposals or a set of ideas that have been put forward. What I know, and what you know, is that there is no agreed-upon text at this moment.

There are proposals that are submitted as part of the negotiations, that come as contributions from the mediator in his effort to achieve consensus and find a solution. They are addressed as such. It is on them that comments are made. It is on them that are made based on Greece’s position, and the Greek position is what I’ve told you.

Journalist: (off microphone)...

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, we haven't accepted.

Mr. Meletis: What are we talking about, given that the issues of nationality and language are not the subject of negotiations nor the matter of the dispute. What exactly are we talking about and what view is there of Mr. Nimetz’s ideas on the two issues that are outside the negotiations?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you understand, the name issue is the key issue. The name of the state is of decisive importance. Negotiations are carried out on this. There is no negotiation, as Skopje would want or as it seemed they wanted, on other matters that would divert negotiations from our objective.

For us the issue is the pivotal issue of the name, because we believe that solutions on other issues will derive from the solution of the name issue, as corollaries, if you will, of the name issue and this is how we are proceeding in the negotiations. There is no agreement on which we can be called at this stage to state our agreement or rejection. There is no agreed-upon text.

Mr. Meletis: No, excuse me, Mr. Spokesman. I obviously didn’t make myself clear. On 11 September, Mr. Nimetz put forward a set of ideas to Mr. Vassilakis and to the Greek Foreign Ministry. Since then,…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Another text has been put forward since then.

Mr. Meletis: In the space of 20 days, the Greek side gave its answers. Then Mr. Nimetz proposed that the issues of nationality and language be included in an appendix to a UN Security Council resolution. 20 days later, there is another proposal, another set of ideas by Mr. Nimetz and we see this thing again, a Macedonian nationality, a Macedonian language. Probably as an alternative, but this is also provided for in a text. And we see it in two texts. Did you reject that on 11 September, on 12 September, when Mr. Vassilakis went there? That’s my question.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: General observations were made. I don’t have the observations that were made then with me.

Mr. Meletis: Do we accept this text as the basis for negotiations? That's my question.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No issue of accepting this text has been raised. Recently, the Foreign Minister spoke before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Meletis: I was there.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: And she said that in this text, this last text that was submitted, which includes elements that show that vital issues and vital dimensions of Greece’s position have been taken into account and that there are other points that we either consider unacceptable or that we believe should be modified or clarified. So it is essential for the necessary adjustments and clarifications to be made in order for this text to take on its own dynamic for a solution. This is our position.

Mr. Meletis: Did you reject that on 11 September? That’s what I’m asking.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Now, I think that the position is clear. I need not repeat the same things. This is Greece’s point of reference; it is the position of the UN Security Council resolutions; it is based on these that we are negotiating. Greece has not accepted any texts, it is negotiating the texts submitted by Mr. Nimetz as proposals or ideas. Our efforts are towards adjusting these texts in order to find genuine prospects for a solution.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone) On Cyprus and regarding the Progress Report on Turkey?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you what the Greece’s evaluation of the reports is.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You asked me whether these texts satisfy Cyprus …

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone) ... with regard to Cyprus.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I mentioned clearly in my initial statement – and I am not going to repeat myself – how Greece addresses these two reports.

Thank you.