Athens, 7 May 2007

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good afternoon. Today’s press conference marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Greek-Chinese diplomatic relations, with the Foreign Minister’s official visit to China due to begin tomorrow. This visit is expected to be another occasion for further strengthening the already excellent Greek-Chinese relations in all sectors. Madam Minister, you have the floor.

Ms. Bakoyannis: Let me welcome you to the Foreign Ministry.

Let me start by saying that in the first part of the press conference, I will restrict myself to the specific subject that we invited you here to discuss, however, I understand that there may be other issues on which I’m prepared to answer as soon as we have finished with the issue of China. So I will be at your disposal for any questions you might have.

As you know, this is the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Hellenic Republic and the People’s Republic of China. Our two countries are celebrating 35 years of bilateral relations characterized by friendship and, mainly, mutual respect. The current high-level of our bilateral relations and the excellent climate in these relations are based on a common foundation: profound mutual respect for the historical course of the cultures of our two peoples.

Our countries represent two great civilizations that developed concurrently and exerted very significant influence on Eastern and Western philosophical and scientific thought. We therefore have a very strong common point of reference.

Ladies and gentlemen, our political relations with China are at an excellent level. Greece and China are cooperating closely and have converging views on how we should address many contemporary international issues.

I would like to stress the very good and substantial cooperation that we had with China within the framework of the UN Security Council during Greece’s two-year term as a non-permanent member.

I would also like to mention the policy of principles followed consistently by China regarding the Cyprus issue and the prospects for its resolution based on the principles and resolutions of the UN and the European acquis.

Greece has a correspondingly positive stance on a number of issues of concern to China, such as, for example, our position in favour of the One China principle and the development of Chinese-EU relations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Greek-Chinese relations are at a very high level and are following a steady upward course. Our objective is to maximize the potential of the dynamic that exists today and to further strengthen our cooperation.

This dynamic is confirmed by the great number of high-level visits enhancing our cooperation. Within this framework, I, too, will be leaving tomorrow for Shanghai and Beijing to celebrate this 35th anniversary there.

There is no question that our relations took on new momentum with the passing on of the organization of the Olympic Games to Beijing for 2008. This is an issue that, as you know, I have been monitoring personally for some time now; from when I was Mayor of Athens through to today.

And Greece is cooperating very closely with the Chinese side. We signed a memorandum of cooperation on the Olympics, as well as on the question of security for the Olympic Games, and many Greek experts have been in China for some time now. I’m certain that China will succeed in hosting excellent Olympic Games, and Athens and Greece will support this effort to the best of our abilities.

I would like to note here the initiative of the ECDL Institute, which is being carried out through ECDL Hellas, and which concerns the free certification of 500,000 Beijing Olympic Games volunteers in IT knowledge and skills. This initiative is under the auspices of the Greek Foreign Ministry.

At the same time, our strong educational and cultural relations with China strengthen the friendship and understanding between the two peoples. The holding of the Hellenic Cultural Year in China in 2008 is of great importance to our country, as it coincides with the year of the Olympic Games, during which the eyes of the world will be focused on Beijing.

Specifically with regard to our cooperation in the sectors of trade, shipping and tourism, the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing in January 2006 and the signing of the joint communiqué on a strategic partnership formed a milestone.

And on my upcoming visit, I will be accompanied by a significant number of Greek entrepreneurs. Our goal is to strengthen economic cooperation, promoting the appropriate contractual framework, while at the same time encouraging contacts between the business communities of the two countries.

Our first results are already visible. The volume of bilateral trade in 2006 reached $4,437.6 million – a 10.2% increase over 2005. Greek investments in China are increasing constantly and have surpassed $200 million. A significant increase of 55.1% was achieved by Greek exports to China. In spite of this, of course, Greece still has a large deficit in its balance of trade with China.

This is why the two countries consider it to be of such great importance that we strengthen and expand our cooperation in a number of sectors, such as shipping, tourism, cooperation on renewable energy sources, the promotion of Greek exports to China, which can all give even greater vitality to our economic relations.

From the actions and initiatives that I mentioned to you, one can easily see that the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations with China marks a new, dynamic era in the relations of our two countries.

The events celebrating this anniversary will be kicked off with a major concert being organized by our country in Beijing. On 11 May, during my visit to the city of Beijing, a concert will be held by one of Greece’s top vocal artists, Alkistis Protopsalti, at the Concert Hall of the Forbidden City.

Greek music and songs, together with Alkisti’s wonderful voice, will fill the Forbidden City, promoting Greece’s contemporary creative culture among our Chinese friends.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my warm thanks to the companies Folli-Follie, Capitol and ECDL for their support in organizing this concert.

Thanks to their collaboration, a major artistic event was made possible; one that I am sure will contribute to promoting our country and familiarizing Chinese citizens with our country.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Greece and China are not just two countries that represent great civilizations. They are, at the same time, two dynamic countries working intensively to promote their development and build their future.

China is a vast country with equally great potential; it has succeeded in establishing itself as an important player in the international system, both economically and politically.

Despite its small size, Greece is a reliable force for development and stability in its wider region. The 35th anniversary of Greek-Chinese diplomatic relations is an important opportunity for us to reaffirm our dedication to a common goal: to strengthen our relations and cooperation on all levels, to the benefit of both our peoples. I thank you very much.

I would like to give the floor to Ms. Protopsalti.

Ms. A. Protopsalti: First of all, I would like to thank the Foreign Minister, Ms. Dora Bakoyannis, for inviting me to participate in this celebration.

I am fascinated by the idea of transporting contemporary Greek music abroad, especially to countries such as the Republic of China, the birthplace of ancient cultures.

It is an honour for me to culturally represent my country, to contribute with my music to strengthening relations between the two countries.

Finally, I feel proud that the Greek language will once again travel to such a unique place, such as the Concert Hall of Beijing’s Forbidden City. Thank you very much.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We will start with questions on the main issue of today’s meeting.

Ms. Kourbela: Madam Minister, there are two main issues with regard to Greece’s efforts for an approach between China and the European Union, i.e., the issue of the arms embargo and characterising China as a market economy. What are the Greek positions on these issues? Thank you.

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: Greece believes that these issues have to be addressed through the dialogue that has been established between China and the European Union.

We believe that China is a power in global markets, and that Europe is its collocutor, protecting, in its turn, its own economic interests. There is great room for developing our cooperation. We therefore have to make the most of it.

Ms. Bibe: Madam Minister, regarding your trip to China, will you discuss China’s refusal on the issue of Kosovo?

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: One of the issues that will be discussed is China’s position at the Security Council on the issue of Kosovo. It is one of the many issues that I and my Chinese counterpart always discuss.

Ms. Nikolaou: I would like to ask you whether you intend during this visit to discuss the Cyprus issue with the Chinese and whether China is willing to take any initiatives.

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: We have always discussed the Cyprus issue with my Chinese counterparts. As I stated in my introductory address, the Greek side is satisfied with the way in which the Chinese political leadership has been supporting us on the Cyprus issue.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Are there any other questions?

Mr. Kottaridis: Yesterday, Mr. Sarkozy was the winner in French elections; given the stance that is expected of Paris on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU, does this worry us, as Greece has invested a lot in Turkey’s European perspective?

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: First of all, I would like to express my satisfaction at the return of interest in French politics. A very significant number of French citizens voted and expressed their opinion.

Mr. Sarkozy’s election shows that the French people want change and want the policy of this particular politician. One may agree or disagree with Nicolas Sarkozy on many issues, but what one can certainly not do is ignore his positions. His positions are widely known.

With regard to the issue of Turkey’s European course and France’s intentions regarding the new European reality that will be shaped through dialogue in the coming months and particularly before the European elections of 2009, France will submit its own views, the other countries will submit their views and we will see where the common ground will be found, the one we are all seeking in order for Europe to move forward, for the European construction to develop effectively.

Regarding Mr. Sarkozy’s positions on Turkey, it will be one of the issues that will inevitably be discussed. Greece is firm in its view that the message to Turkey has to be a message of encouragement for reforms, for its democratic perspective, for compliance with prerequisites set by the European Union for Turkey. In the final analysis, this is to the benefit of the Turkish people.

Mr. Kalaritis: Is Greece concerned about domestic political uncertainty in Turkey and the extent to which it will influence Greek-Turkish relations on the one hand, and Turkey’s European course on the other?

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: Greece is following developments in Turkey closely, hoping, as I told you before, that democracy will be the big winner.

A democratic, stable, European Turkey is to the benefit of our country's interests. I think that this is widely understandable. This is what we have been supporting.

Mr. Santamouris: I would like to pose a more political and less diplomatic question, Ms. Bakoyannis, on the Sarkozy election. He was accused, at least by the left, of blunt views. At the same time, he was accused of having adopted far-right positions.

However, he was not only chosen by the majority of French people, he also won by attracting, at the same time, a significant group of voters from the centre.

Do you think that there are corresponding political circumstances in Greece that would promote such a phenomenon? And I do not mean personally, I mean a political phenomenon. Thank you.

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: I do not believe that phenomena in different countries are copied. Each country produces its own political and social forces, which genuinely express its people. Therefore, I do not think that we can function with an imitating logic or that we can believe that the conditions are the same in France and in Greece.

I do believe in one thing though, and I have been saying it for many years now, and I will answer strictly politically. Yes, I support clear political speech.

I do not think that smooth political speech, which now tends to become the norm, where all things are said, but, in the end, nothing is said, can become the policy of tomorrow. A politician is under the obligation to state his or her views clearly. We may agree or disagree, as I said before, but it is very important for citizens to know what they can expect from us.

And I have to say here, to the credit of Nicolas Sarkozy, that, at a “UMP” event on the future of Europe and European defence, which I attended, I was very impressed by the detailed way in which he committed himself on every aspect of his defence policy; ranging from a given armament programme to every single position that he had taken in the area of defence. This is a merit. We have to get clear political speech back and not hide behind smooth expressions.

Mr. Mihail: I would like to ask this: Do you think the developments in Turkey – which are of particular interest to us and of even greater interest to the Foreign Ministry, which is competent for monitoring these developments – could give rise to early elections in our country? And I’m not asking you this just to get your statement – this is being expressed today by . . .

Ms. Bakoyannis: You’re not asking the right person.

Mr. Mihail: I’ll tell you why I’m asking you this. Because today, high-ranking officials in your government and your party implied something along these lines. Might the developments in Turkey become a national reason for our going to early elections?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Mr. Mihail, any reason there might be for the Prime Minister of the country declaring early elections will not have to be discovered; The Prime Minister, Mr. Karamanlis will state it clearly.

So there is no such issue at this stage, and the Greek government is not seeking reasons. If the Prime Minister wants to hold elections – I think everyone agrees on this – there will be no difficulty in his doing so.

Mr. Mavridis: Madam Minister, allow me to persist with the previous question. At this time, there are two lines of government officials. One recommends going to the polls immediately, while the other wants to complete the 4-year term.

We had Mr. Alogoskoufis’ interview the day before yesterday, in which he more or less said that this climate isn’t doing the economy any good – indirectly, but clearly, suggesting early elections. To which of the two lines do you belong, given that you are a fan of clear political expression, as you said earlier?

Ms. Bakoyannis: As I said, I don’t decide when elections will be held. This is a decision that will be made by Prime Minister Karamanlis. And I had the opportunity to state this very clearly in my speech in Corfu. Mr. Karamanlis has said that elections will take place when the time comes. All government officials will reiterate this position that I am reiterating for you.

Mr. Vitalis: I want to ask this simple question: In Germany, Ms. Merkel had a very critical take on Turkey’s European perspective. In France, we have the victory of Mr. Sarkozy, who has a specific stance on Turkey. It is apparent from the general European environment that things aren’t all that positive for Turkey’s course. I’m not talking about whether or not there will be a special relationship – but I’m asking something very simple.

To date, we have had a consistent foreign policy on Turkey’s European perspective. Does the new state of affairs, Madam Minister, necessitate a reorientation or series of new moves on the part of Greek foreign policy toward Turkey, which, despite its promises, has never renounced all of its unilateral claims against Greece in its dialogue with Europe?

Ms. Bakoyannis: As the question you are asking is rather complex, I will try to clarify things. Greece has a firm policy that says in the long term, in the interests of our country, it would be good for the broader region of the Balkan peninsula, including Turkey, to belong to the EU. We support this policy.

Of course, we are not alone in the EU. Of course, we do not underestimate in any way the general concern among European leaderships – but mainly in European societies – regarding Turkey. But this issue will not be resolved today. It will be resolved over the course of time, and that is how we have to see it.

Let me make it clear that a European perspective for Turkey is in our interest. The same holds true for Cyprus. It is no coincidence that Cyprus and Greece have such a clear stance on Turkey’s European perspective. Beyond that, of course, we are also taking into account the state of affairs being shaped in the EU.

We have various alternative proposals and we are studying various strategies that might benefit our country’s interests.

And in any case, to address another issue that you didn’t ask me about, but which you might want my views on, I want to stress that anything whatsoever that concerns the sovereign rights of our country is not negotiable. We support this in every direction – to friends and partners. I want to say this with regard to certain recent moves in the Aegean.

Thank you very much.