Athens, 7 June 2007
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. I will mention some of the activities of the political leadership of the Ministry. Tomorrow, Friday, 8 June, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will host a farewell luncheon at the Foreign Ministry in honour of the outgoing US Ambassador to Athens, Mr. Ries.
On Saturday, 9 June, Ms. Bakoyannis will host a working dinner for US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Mr. Nicholas Burns, at about 20:00. The basic agenda for this working dinner includes, of course, developments in our region, including the Kosovo issue and other issues of regional interest. The ‘visa waiver’ issue will also be touched upon, as always. And, finally, developments in the Middle East.
On Sunday, 10 June, as you know, the Minister is scheduled to depart on her trip to the Middle East; a trip that is scheduled to include four countries: Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
You are following the developments in the Middle East, and I would like to stress here that anything on the itinerary for this trip depends to a great extent on developments in the region.
Departure is scheduled for Sunday, 10 June. The first stop is to be in Israel, where the Minister will also visit Ramallah. This will be followed by visits to Syria, Jordan, and, the last stop, Lebanon.
A few words about this trip. As you know, there has been intense and constant Greek interest in the developments in the region; interest and active participation in developments made very clear through specific actions carried out since last summer, such as:
a. the internationally recognised contribution of our country in evacuating Greek and other citizens from Lebanon during the crisis there last summer.
b. our contribution to shaping Resolution 1701,
c. our country’s participation in UNIFIL, the international force that, on a Security Council mandate, is helping to implement Resolution 1701.
d. the many bilateral meetings,
e. the initiatives developed by Greece within the framework of the European Union – for example, the Greek initiative for the Foreign Minister of the new Palestinian Government of National Unity to be invited to talk with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union. This initiative resulted in the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers with the Foreign Ministers of the Arab League and with the Quartet. A meeting with the Israeli side will follow soon.
This visit is tangible confirmation of our interest in the region and is scheduled to take place at a critical time for the region. You are aware that the situation in the Palestinian territories – the tension that exists between Palestinians and Israelis – the situation in Lebanon and the wider region are all at a critical stage that justifies the worry and concern of the international community.
Greece believes that the efforts to reopen a comprehensive peace effort must be made and intensified. We see an important role for the European Union in this effort, and we are acting in this direction and supporting the active role and participation of the European Union.
One of the positive developments in the issue of the effort toward a new peace initiative is certainly the decision of the Arab League to reaffirm the peace plan they had presented earlier.
That’s a general outline of the Foreign Minister’s visit to the region.
A few more words on the rest of the activities.
On Friday, 15 June, the Foreign Minister will deliver a welcoming address at the Conference being organized, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, by the US think-tank Project on Ethnic Relations, which will be on the subject of “The Balkans as a factor for stability and security in Europe”.
On Monday, 11 June, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Yannis Valinakis will travel to Brussels for informal consultations with his European counterparts regarding the issue of the European Constitutional Treaty.
On Friday, 8 June – tomorrow – Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis will travel to Russia to participate in the proceedings of the 11th International Economic and Business Forum, which is being held in St. Petersburg.
On Friday, 8 June, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis will speak at an event being held in Larissa on “The challenge of globalization for Greece”; an event being organized by the Federation of Industries of Thessaly, marking the 50th anniversary of the Federation’s founding.
That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.
Mr. Meletis: As I was not able to follow the matter, could you tell me what the purpose of Ms. Bakoyannis’ visit to the Middle East is?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I referred to it extensively.
Mr. Meletis: You mentioned that, last year, she invited the Palestinian Foreign Minister and this took place. Could you tell us what the purpose of the current visit is?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that my answer covered your question. I referred to actions that have been taken in the recent past, which give tangible proof of the country’s strong interest. I did not say that this is the purpose. It is obvious that the purpose of a trip is not something that has already taken place.
Ms. Adam: During the Foreign Minister’s discussions in Egypt with President Mubarak and her Egyptian counterpart, did either of the two sides, either our side or the Egyptian side, raise the issue of delimiting the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones and fishing zones?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As has been made public, there have been meetings in the past at the level of technical committees regarding the dialogue that has begun on the determination of each of the two countries’ exclusive economic zones. Within the framework of the Foreign Minister’s meetings in Egypt it was confirmed that this discussion will continue at a technical official level. I have no further data to give you on this. This discussion is taking place at a technical level and there are no elements that we can announce at this point, not because they are confidential, but because they are an ongoing process.
Ms. Kourbela: Does it have anything to do with the fact that the European Union is promoting a free trade zone with third Mediterranean countries? Is it a precursor?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, given that these are bilateral discussions. This dimension could also be examined where overlapping might arise.
Mr. Fourlis: Will this occasion give rise to similar discussions with other countries in the region or not? Are other discussions being held even at the level of technical committees?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that there has been one meeting or, in any event, a very limited number of meetings with Libya as well.
Mr. Dimitriadis: With Cyprus?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am not aware of such a meeting.
Mr. Kalaritis: In view of the US President’s visit to Albania, where he will meet with leaders of Albania, Croatia and Skopje and discuss the accession of these countries to NATO, is the government at all concerned about the fact that, for instance, the warnings on the part of Greece do not seem to have been taken seriously by Skopje, given that two weeks ago, if I am not mistaken, Skopje’s President, Mr. Crvenkovski, stated that the Greek Prime Minister’s warnings are due to the fact that we are in a pre-election period.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am not going to comment on Mr. Crvenkovski’s appraisals, which are in fact directly or indirectly linked with Greek domestic developments, on which, as you understand, I am not competent to speak.
Beyond that, with regard to the US policy on NATO’s future enlargements: the US position is known; it supports future enlargements. Beyond that, these three countries have been given a particular status by NATO, as you know, which is called Membership Action Plan (MAP), i.e., that there are action plans on the perspective of their accession to NATO. There are a series of issues that are functioning as criteria.
Greece considers – and this is the policy that it has been following – that respect for good neighbourly relations is something that should be a significant factor and, in any case, will be significant within the framework of its own evaluation of candidacies. But there are a series of other conditions that will have to be fulfilled on the course of these member states towards a potential invitation to join NATO.
For instance, the full implementation of the rule of law; the smooth and efficient operation of justice and the police, in compliance with democratic principles; combating corruption; combating arms trade and other types of illegal trade.
At the present stage, I can refer you to previous statements of the US administration, where these candidate countries will have to keep up their intensive efforts in order to address a series of issues, such as the ones I mentioned.
Particularly with regard to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, there is, as you know, a specific recent announcement by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the overall judgment of this country’s course towards accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions, and also on bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
But I would like to add that respect for good neighbourly relations, on which Greece puts particular emphasis, is not the only issue that will determine the final outcome of this particular country’s candidacy. I mentioned a series of issues and here I repeat them: the rule of law, justice and police operation, combating illegal trade, combating corruption. All these elements influence decisions about a country’s course towards NATO.
Mr. Kalaritis: As the name issue and the propaganda on the part of Skopje on this issue concern us.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This was mentioned in a Ministry statement.
Mr. Kalaritis: Fine. Has the Greek side discussed the terms for Skopje’s eventual accession to NATO with the United States? Has the Greek side drawn its “red line”? Given that the United States play a decisive role in these countries’ accession, has Greece discussed it with the US?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece, the Greek government, the Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Minister, have made their views, concerns and position on this issue absolutely clear.
Mr. Fourlis: As you referred to a number of terms and conditions, could you tell us to what extent you consider that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia satisfies these at this time? Because I see that other countries, important countries, consider them to be satisfied.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: If they had been fulfilled, there would already have been an invitation for accession from the Alliance. They have not been satisfied, and there is no invitation. Moreover, there have been constant urgings recently from the US administration for FYROM to do what is necessary to move ahead.
Mr. Dimitriadis: Mr. Spokesman, is the Greek government thinking, at this phase or later on, of inviting FYROM residents of Greek origin to obtain Greek passports, on the model of Bulgaria?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is a question that concerns possible future developments. I am not aware of anything at this time that would allow me to answer specifically to your question. As a question, it is perhaps interesting that you asked it.
Mr. Malaspinas: Mr. Spokesman, you said that the discussion that the Foreign Minister will have at the working dinner with the US Under Secretary, Mr. Burns, will also cover the visa issue. I wanted to ask: Is this related to the submission of the bill by the 30 Representatives of Greek origin, or is it independent?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, I think we mentioned this at a previous meeting. There was a positive development with the particular action on the part of 30 Members of the House of Representatives. What I do know and can tell you as an indication of how the effort is continuing is that, as far as I know, a Committee – or, in any case, a team of experts; experts on this specific issue – is to visit our country soon for relevant talks on a technical level regarding the prospects for the continuation of these efforts, but I have nothing more to tell you on this.
Ms. Nikolaou: I would like a comment on the UN Secretary General’s report regarding the renewal of the UNFICYP mandate with regard to his report on the Turkish Cypriots.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The report is a comprehensive document. It has some elements that are positive and others that are not, which are being assessed. As you know, the report that was submitted is a procedural step that is always followed for the submission of a draft resolution regarding the extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus. What is important – what is of primary importance at this stage – is the final decision that will be taken by the Security Council regarding the extension of the peacekeeping force’s mandate on the island. As far as I know, the initial discussion of the draft resolution is to take place in closed consultations, on Friday, 8 June.
Mr. Gilson: The Greek government’s interest in the Middle East peace process is understandable of course, but at this time the Jerusalem Patriarchate is in crisis and the Israeli state, which Ms. Bakoyannis is to visit, has not recognized the Patriarch. There is a danger of the Palestinian Authority withdrawing its recognition.
And there is also information to the effect that the state of Jordan has sent a letter to the Patriarchate saying that it recognizes one Bishop Benedictus as the caretaker, which means that the situation is quickly becoming complex and dangerous. What does Ms. Bakoyannis intend to do during her trip to Ramallah and Israel to bring about some clarification on this issue?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As I said, on the Foreign Minister’s scheduled trip, there will be a discussion mainly of issues concerning stability and peace in the region of the Middle East, which is of particular strategic interest to our country, as a country neighboring on this critical and sensitive region.
The issue of the Jerusalem Patriarchate is to be addressed in certain of the meetings of the Foreign Minister, but I have nothing more to tell you on this at this time.
Mr. Gilson: Is to be?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It is expected to be touched upon.
Mr. Gilson: I’ll finish with this question: Will the possibility of the Patriarchate’s being recognized by the state of Israel be discussed with the government officials there?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are aware that this matter is pending on the part of Israel, and it would be reasonable when speaking with the Israeli leadership to mention this issue.
Ms. Adam: What were the results of Mr. Kassimis’ incognito trip to Israel? Do we have some positive development, as we were supposed to have? That’s the first question.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: At this stage, I would not like to refer to this.
Ms. Adam: The second question: You referred earlier to the prerequisites, to the criteria, good neighbourly relations, bilateral relations, smuggling, etc., that concern the accession of countries to NATO. Do these criteria and prerequisites concern FYROM exclusively, or do they also refer to Albania? And does the country in this way consider that the three candidate countries for NATO membership are a single and indivisible bloc, or will each country be judged according to the progress it has made?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: In NATO, as you know, the way in which candidates are judged is “performance driven”, that is, it depends on the performance of each state. It’s not based on group candidacy.
One can already say – this is a general impression I’m giving you, and I don’t want to go into the essence of this discussion – that there is a general impression both in the Alliance and in general that the performance of Croatia, in comparison with the other two candidate countries, is much faster and much more substantial.
Ms. Adam: Does Albania meet the criteria?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As I said, whether they are satisfied or not would depend on whether the Alliance had already unanimously decided to invite these countries. Such an invitation has not been issued. There was a progress report last year. There will be a new progress report in the form, if you will, of something similar to the progress reports carried out by the European Commission. From the last progress report and the existing assessments, no one has concluded that an invitation to accede could be extended at this time.
Mr. Fourlis: … Yes, but we’re talking about just six months.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The whole discussion, as you know – the whole relevant discussion – has a time horizon of the first months in 2008 at this time. It remains to be confirmed whether this timeframe will be the one that is followed in the end. But the timeframe as it stands is for there to be an in-depth evaluation in the first months of 2008.
Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, as you put emphasis on the obligation to respect good neighbourly relations, I would like to ask whether you mean by this: respect for the Interim Accord and article 11, which of course assumes and provides for Greece’s being obligated to react to the accession of Skopje to international organizations if it attempts to do so under a name other than that with which it joined the United Nations; that is, FYROM.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Interim Accord consists of 23 articles. I don’t think that the singling out of certain articles reflects the thinking behind the agreement as a whole. The thinking behind the agreement is the resolution, in a mutually acceptable manner, of the pending issue. No individual interpretation or analysis can alter the basic objective of the agreement, which is to reach a mutually acceptable solution. In any case, Greece is following and respects the Interim Accord.
And let me also say that judgment of the extent to which the parties comply with the Interim Accord concerns the Accord as a whole – all of its articles – for example, article 7 paragraph 1, which refers in particular to propaganda, to irredentist thinking, etc. So there is no selective approach to articles of the Interim Accord, the purpose and objective of which is, as you know, not to perpetuate the current, temporary situation, but for the parties to come to a mutually acceptable solution in the end.
Mr. Meletis: Let me understand this, because this coming April or February or December NATO will of course not be called upon to judge article 23 of the Interim Accord. It will be called upon to decide whether or not to invite Skopje, and under what name this will be done. And as there is a specific article in the Interim Accord that says what we said before, article 11, I wanted to ask: Is Greece bound and committed by the repeated public statements of Mr. Molyviatis and yourself that we have no problem with Skopje moving ahead with its accession to NATO under the name FYROM, something which President Crvenkovski said, or not? That’s what I’m asking.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, the implementation or non-implementation of the Interim Accord is not something which is judged, as you can see, in this NATO process and course.
Our country’s stance on this particular issue depends, of course, on its implementation. For example, whether the thinking and purpose behind the Interim Accord is fulfilled through specific actions. And the thinking behind the Accord is not the perpetuation of the pending issue, but its resolution.
Beyond that, you referred to the past. The past concerns a specific political environment and actions on the part of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. At this point I must say something which we said in our announcement: that the actions of the current government of Skopje have clearly altered that environment. There are actions on the part of – mainly – the current Skopje government that call into question the Interim Accord.
Mr. Meletis: So Skopje is violating article 7 of the Interim Accord. Does the Greek government intend to denounce the Interim Accord? And, in any case, even if this happens – you know better than me – the Accord itself provides for its termination coming into effect one year later. It has to be done a year earlier, I mean.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will not go into any further discussion on this. There is a recent, clear announcement from the Greek Foreign Ministry. To this announcement, which we consider crystal clear as to its message and content, I have nothing to add.
Ms. Adam: So, Mr. Spokesman, you consider that the Skopje government at this time is not honouring in full the whole of the Interim Accord? And if this is the case, is the Greek government considering denouncing the Interim Accord because the Skopje government is not honouring it or is violating it?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I referred to the criteria or the evaluations that the Greek government will carry out if and when the issue of our neighboring country’s accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions is judged.
Ms. Adam: As you are describing it right now, you’re putting a minus sign before the Skopje side’s implementation and honouring of the Accord. So if, regarding Skopje’s accession to NATO, the government intends to bring forth the issue of the faithful implementation or not of the Accord by Skopje, you are giving me to understand that you will proceed to denunciation of the Interim Accord, because it is not being honoured faithfully by the government of Skopje.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think you are taking a leap in logic. What I stated adds nothing to what was stated in an announcement of 3 June, which you have been aware of for four days now.
Mr. Meletis: Won’t the Foreign Minister request this from Mr. Burns? That the process be speeded up – for the Americans to intervene so that the process can be accelerated by Mr. Nimetz?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: An answer has been given. Greece’s objective is for a mutually acceptable solution to be achieved. I’ll stand on that.
Mr. Meletis: What I said?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is the answer I have given you.
Mr. Fourlis: I would like a clarification. Can you tell us, as we speak, whether Greece considers its neighboring country to be implementing the Accord to the letter or not? Because, Mr. Spokesman, whether or not an Accord is being implemented is not a question of periodical evaluation every six months or when it enters NATO. Today, I want you to tell us whether our country considers that the neighboring country is or is not implementing this Accord faithfully.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I find your interest in this particular issue very interesting, given that the last paragraph of the Foreign Ministry announcement that says all this has been out for four days now – that is “the Skopje leadership needs to: implement a policy of good neighbourly relations; rectify and abandon actions and policies based on irredentist thinking towards a member state of NATO and the European Union; adopt a conciliatory and moderate spirit within the framework of the consultations taking place at the UN aimed at the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, given that the current name is temporary”. And the Foreign Ministry statement concludes: “This is all provided for in the Interim Accord, which the current Skopje government is unfortunately calling into question through many of its actions.”
The Foreign Ministry’s position has been set down clearly for four days now. I am here to answer your questions. But why is something that I don’t think can be stated in a more crystal clear fashion – and it was stated in writing – raising so many questions?
Mr. Fourlis: And the second clarification that I wanted. The question is: Do you have anything to tell us regarding the European Parliament report published the day before yesterday, because it seems that with regard to good neighbourly relations there are those in the European Parliament – partners of ours in the EU – who think we aren’t implementing them? That is, . . .
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes. Will you allow me to make a clarification?
Mr. Fourlis: . . . in this report from this Committee, it says that Greece is not implementing good neighbourly relations because it doesn’t accept Skopje passports.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes. Allow me to make a clarification regarding your question. They aren’t exactly our partners. They are Members of the European Parliament – MEPs – who, of course, represent and play the role they have within the framework of the European Parliament, which is an institution that, as you know, does not take decisions on issues of this kind. These decisions are taken by the governments at the Council of Foreign Ministers, and they are decisions that are taken unanimously.
Mr. Fourlis: So it is of no value.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I said nothing of that kind.
Ms. Adam: You expressed the desire for the procedures to be accelerated by Mr. Nimetz.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I expressed no such desire. I reiterated that Greece’s goal is for a mutually acceptable solution to be achieved.
Ms. Adam: What point would there be in Mr. Nimetz’s unveiling a new proposal before the elections in Greece, when he himself, during the last meeting – from what was reported in the press – asked for an approximate date for Greek elections so that he could formulate his proposal afterwards.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: First of all, I am not aware of any of that, and I confirm none of that.
Second, the reiteration of a consistent, stated position that our country has held throughout recent years cannot cause puzzlement, raise exaggerated interest or a series of questions.
Greece is pursuing a solution in a mutually acceptable manner. If I submitted the transcripts of our meetings for computer processing, so that it could add up how many times we have said this over the past three years, the computer would probably crash. It would have to be a supercomputer to add up all the times I have stated this.
Something that I have stated thousands of times in the past cannot today occasion the conclusion that Greece is pressuring somebody or other.
I stand on Greece’s strategic objective, which is in accordance with the process being carried out in the UN, in accordance with the purpose of the Interim Accord. That is, that the interim aspect must at some point be resolved in a mutually acceptable manner so that this pending matter can stop having consequences for the bilateral relations, regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic course of the neighbouring country. That is what we have said, that is what we are saying, and that is what we will say until such a solution is achieved.
Everything else is interpretations, which I cannot stop you from making.
Mr. Kapoutsis: I have seen one or two newspaper articles and heard one or two radio reports that insist that Greece is planning to participate should NATO decide to create an anti-missile umbrella in Southeast Europe. Do you have any comment on this issue?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You said that Greece, based on news reports, is planning to participate. I answer you that I have seen these reports, but I haven’t seen any official document or information or official briefing regarding this. There are such reports, but there are no such actions.
Ms. Karaviti: I would like to ask a question on the previous issue. If all this – all these efforts – fail, does the government still have the option of a referendum?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is no such issue at the moment.
Ms. Karaviti: I am saying this because it has been raised in the past by the Prime Minister.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is no such issue and it has never been stated that Greece might have recourse to a referendum on the name issue.
Mr. Gilson: You are encouraging Skopje to reach a compromise with Greece on the name issue in view of the country’s accession to NATO, before the decision is taken to accept this country into NATO. Why is the country’s accession to NATO under the name FYROM negative for Greece?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: In answer to your question, I would like to repeat that Greece does not encourage anyone to do anything within a certain timeframe. What Greece is saying is that all the procedures, those that are valid within the UN or the Interim Accord, show that the matter’s provisional character has to be resolved. This is the objective of Greece, and it is based on this objective that it takes all its actions. We have not mentioned any time limits or anything else.
Mr. Gilson: So could Greece consent to the accession of Skopje, of FYROM, to NATO under the name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”? Would it be able to consent to such a thing?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that I cannot interpret myself any further. I am therefore referring you to the statement I made four days ago.
Mr. Gilson: Can you or can you not answer my question?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I did answer your question. I cannot interpret my own statements.
Mr. Gilson: Alright, do not interpret yourself. Could Greece consent to FYROM’s accession to NATO as FYROM? I am also asking the following: Is Greece prepared to clash with the US on this issue? Because the Secretary of State made it clear that the US supports this country’s accession to NATO, even if the name issue is not resolved. Is Athens willing to clash with Washington on this?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece is not clashing with anyone, nor does it have a policy of clashing with anyone. Greece firmly and consistently aims at promoting and defending its priorities, concerns, interests within the framework of the international rules and agreements in place. This particular issue will not become an exception to our firm strategy.
So, there is no issue of clashing with anyone. Greece will make an overall judgment, when the time comes, which will be based on an overall assessment of the situation.
I would like to ask you once again to read very carefully – not that you haven’t read it – but please read the statement issued four days ago carefully.
Mr. Meletis: In which NATO or European Union text is reaching a settlement on the name issue a condition or an element of good neighbourly relations?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There are references to good neighbourly relations. Greece will make an overall judgment, within the framework of Resolutions 817 and 845, the Interim Accord, which I already mentioned, and of course other criteria including respect for good neighbourly relations. And it cannot, of course, leave out of its judgment the actions taken, especially lately, by the current government of Skopje, which create a certain atmosphere that we cannot but evaluate correspondingly.
Mr. Dimitriadis: Will the Foreign Minister participate in the extraordinary meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 25 June?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: NATO Ministers?
Mr. Dimitriadis: EU Foreign Ministers. Last night, the German Presidency called a meeting on issues of international trade.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The date you gave me will follow the Summit Meeting. I do not know, I will have to look into it.
Mr. Fourlis: As I assume the Foreign Ministry is managing preparations for the inauguration of the Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline, if this indeed takes place in July, do you have anything new on that? Do you know whether the Prime Minister will visit Turkey for the inauguration ceremony?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you know, only the Prime Minister’s office gives answers on the Prime Minister's programme.
Thank you very much.