Athens, 9 March 2009

Journalist: What exactly did you discuss with the French Prime Minister?

Ms. Bakoyannis: We mostly discussed the major financial crisis. We discussed ways to address it, the need to bolster European solidarity, particularly among Eurozone countries, a proposal put forward by France, as you know. I had the opportunity to brief him on the situation in our country, on the stabilisation programme to be followed by Greece. As you know, the French and the Greek society have a lot in common. It is therefore very important for our two governments – given that we have many common approaches – to exchange views on the ways to address a very difficult time for the whole of Europe, which we will go through and – the French Prime Minister and I agree – come out stronger.

Journalist: Are you more optimistic as time goes by?

Ms. Bakoyannis: I am not being optimistic, I have faith in Greek society, in Greece’s strengths. I believe that we will be able to, and we will, fight – although it may be difficult – but in the end we will go through this crisis and come out stronger, as I said.

Journalist: Being made a foreign associate of the French Academy is a special honour...

Ms. Bakoyannis: It has been a very significant honour for me – Mr. Fillon also mentioned this – a great honour not only for me personally but also for Greece, and I think this is the most important thing. And it is the first time that a woman has become a foreign associate of the French Academy. It is a good start.

Journalist: Ms. Bakoyannis, a ΝΑΤΟ meeting is going to be held in France. Did you discuss this issue with Mr. Fillon?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Yes, we did. As you know, this meeting in Kehl and Strasbourg, in Strasbourg and Kehl, is a historic meeting. Most of all, it carries particular symbolic weight for Europe. Germany and France are the hosts of this meeting, they are jointly hosting it, proving that if we can overcome past enmities, we can create a very good basis for the future. I think that this will be the message for a very different North-Atlantic Alliance, starting from this particularly historical date.

Journalist: Ms. Bakoyannis, did you discuss the Skopje issue, the name issue at all?

Ms. Bakoyannis: No, not at all.

Journalist: On your election, you will join 11 other prominent figures in the Academy. Have you perhaps thought what action you will take in response to this election?

Ms. Bakoyannis: As I said, it is a great honour. I will do everything I can in order to rise to this honour. I think we all agree that Europe is the guardian of thought and mind. We therefore need more cooperation between us and we need to exchange views in this sector too. We are faced with major challenges. All these people have offered a great deal to European thought, and I think that closer cooperation between us and with all of the world’s Academies might become a strong basis for us move a step further, to take the step forward needed right now.