Athens, 8 April 2008
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. I’ll try to be as brief as possible given that the journalists’ strike starts at 11:00.
Regarding the programme of activities: Tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 April, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will take part in the roundtable being held within the framework of the Economist Conference. The main subject of discussion will be Kosovo and the stability of the Balkans in general.
Speakers will include the Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Mr. Kalfin, Serbia, Mr. Jeremic, Albania, Mr. Basha, and Romania, Mr. Cioroianu, as well as Republika Srbska Prime Minister Mr. Dodik. The Economist Conference is being held at the Divani Apollon hotel in Kavouri. Ms. Bakoyannis will speak tomorrow at 09:30.
Also tomorrow – 9 April – Ms. Bakoyannis will host a working luncheon for her Romanian counterpart, Mr. Cioroianu, at 13:30. During the luncheon, they will discuss bilateral and European issues and they will also look at issues of international and regional interest, with emphasis on Kosovo, the Cyprus issue, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue.
They will also discuss the course of Greek-Bulgarian-Romania trilateral cooperation. After the luncheon, at 15:00, they will make statements to the press at the Foreign Ministry’s main building.
A meeting between Ms. Bakoyannis and her Bulgarian counterpart, Mr. Kalfin, is also being scheduled. You will be informed of the exact time for that meeting.
On the morning of Thursday, 10 April, Ms. Bakoyannis will receive Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Vladimir Titov at her office. They will discuss issues of bilateral, regional and international interest.
Also on Thursday, 10 April, Ms. Bakoyannis will receive the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Bryza, at 17:30.
Finally, on Monday, 14 April, at 12:30, the Foreign Minister will receive the UK Prime Minister’s special representative to Cyprus, Ms. Joan Ryan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis’ schedule is as follows: On Wednesday, 9 April, he will host a working luncheon for his Russian counterpart, Mr. Titov, who is visiting our country. And on Friday, 11 April, at 09:30, Mr. Valinakis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mr. Bryza.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis is carrying out a visit to Mount Athos. During his two-day stay, he will meet with members of the Holy Community of Mount Athos and abbots of the monasteries. He will visit the monasteries of Vatopedion, Chilandarion, Iviron and Megisti Lavra.
From Thursday, 10 April, to Sunday, 13 April, Mr. Kassimis will carry out a visit to Albania. He will meet with Albanian officials, including Prime Minister Mr. Berisha, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, the Foreign Affairs and Education Ministers, as well as with representatives of the Greek minority – that is, the leaders of the Unity for Human Rights Party – and the head of the Albanian Church, Archbishop Anastasios.
During his stay in Albania, Mr. Kassimis will visit the villages where the Greek minority resides and he will have meetings with the leadership of Omonoia (Unity for Human Rights Party). Note that this is the first visit of a Greek official to Albania following the neighbouring country’s invitation to join NATO.
Regarding Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Doukas’ programme, on Wednesday, 9 April, he will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the Swedish Ambassador to Athens, and on Thursday, 10 April, he will meet with the Jordanian Minister of Planning, Development and Cooperation, who is visiting our country.
That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.
Mr. Kapoutsis: Mr. Spokesman, yesterday there was a statement from the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State regarding the existence of a Macedonian ethnic entity, a Macedonian language, a Macedonian nation, etc. Do you have any comment, beyond Ms. Bakoyannis’ statement that these statements do not help towards resolving the FYROM name issue?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You will know that a statement was issued subsequently by the State Department, but I won’t refer to that. I would like to stress here that the negotiation process under way within the framework of the UN has a specific goal: to find a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue.
This is where the sincere efforts of Greece are focussed: on achieving a solution that is cohesive, practical and feasible, without winners and losers. We won’t be dragged into discussions that divert the negotiations from their true purpose.
Mr. Santamouris: Would you be so kind as to remind us of some of the elements of the State Department’s reply. It’s related to this issue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t think that’s my job.
Mr. Santamouris: The nature, not the content [of the reply]. Is it a retraction – what exactly?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It is an explanatory reply, but it is not my job – my team can give you the text.
Mr. Santamouris: In Albania, will Mr. Kassimis discuss the school books issue or the issue of education of Albanian economic immigrants in Greece? That’s one question.
And the second: What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on – or how can it interpret for the press – U.S. Ambassador Speckhard’s statement supporting that exceptional progress had been made before Bucharest in the name negotiations and that this progress can give – if I remember correctly, he says that three capitals express high hopes for a definitive solution soon.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As for the expression of the desire and will for there to be a substantial result in the negotiations under the UN at the soonest possible time, I cannot but agree. You are aware that this is Greece’s firm position; a position that was underscored immediately following the results in Bucharest by both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. So there is no need to repeat ourselves.
Beyond that, regarding what was said by Mr. Speckhard concerning the course of the negotiations, I will not enter into an in-depth discussion. You know precisely where the negotiations stand at this time. Various proposals have been submitted over the course of 15 years. Recently, when we had the most intensive developments, various proposals were submitted.
Greece remained and remains in the negotiations, each time expressing its positions, observations and proposals very clearly regarding what Mr. Nimetz puts forward. Beyond that, you know exactly where things stand.
I want to take this opportunity to stress that Greece has come to this particular discussion with a crystal clear position, with absolutely sincere intentions and goals. There was never double-speak or hidden agendas.
I am certain that if one compares and assesses the original position of Greece set out in a timely manner many months ago with what has followed to date and what will happen from here on in, one will see consistency and sincerity of positions and intentions. And I think this is also a message to our neighbouring country, whose stability Greece has always supported and continues to support. And this is why we believe that a solution on this issue will be beneficial for bilateral relations, regional stability and the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of FYROM.
Mr. Santamouris: (off microphone)
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I know Mr. Kassimis is visiting Albania. So issues also discussed recently by the Minister will be discussed. In a sense, it can be considered a follow-up visit to Ms. Bakoyannis’ visit.
Ms. Kourbela: Mr. Spokesman, I want to ask about the debate that will take place tomorrow in the European Parliament regarding the Commission’s progress report. A report has been drawn up on FYROM’s progress, and in a number of places in this report, Greek positions as well as the positions of Skopje are supported. Are you aware of this report? Will some remarks be made? Will it be discussed by the plenary session?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know anything more specific at this time. What I do know is that the Greek MEPs are doing what they have to in a coordinated fashion.
Ms. Kourbela: In an interview, Mr. Dimitrakopoulos said that the Greek MEPs will support the adoption of the positions that have already been set out in the Commission’s progress report.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have anything to add to what was said by Mr. Dimitrakopoulos, who is among those making the necessary moves within the framework of the European Parliament. I have nothing further to add.
Mr. Gogas: I would like you to tell me how the government – the Foreign Ministry – views the eventuality of early elections in Skopje and whether this will assist the process that has begun.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You can see that domestic political developments in the neighbouring country are evaluated and studied. Beyond that, Greece would like to hope that there will soon be a substantial return to the negotiating table.
This is our position, and we would like to hope that our neighbouring country will also be in a position – at the soonest possible time – to participate substantially in this process, the specific goal and purpose of which we referred to earlier and do not need to repeat.
Mr. Sourmelidis: Mr. Spokesman, from a legal point of view, would a potential denunciation of the Interim Accord mean a return to the status quo ante?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You rightly mentioned and used the adjective "potential”. At the moment, I do not see any indication that the neighbouring country will proceed to such a move.
I think that what is of utmost importance at the moment – here, you are giving me an opportunity to make a general statement – is that when the time is right – and I repeat that Greece believes that this should be as soon as possible – there should be a substantial continuation of this negotiating effort. This is our objective, because this is the only way to reach a solution, which has been repeatedly described by the Greek side as a mutually acceptable solution, with no winners or losers; a solution that will make it possible – something which might sometimes sound like a platitude, but which is of great substance – for the whole region and not just our bilateral relations to look to the future with optimism. For it to build its future on different foundations.
A solution that will prevent the emergence of any problems arising from the Balkans’ unpleasant past; a solution that will pave the way for a better European future. I reiterate that these words have substance, but they are of substance because they clearly describe Greece’s strategic objective and vision for the region.
Mr. Sourmelidis: How many contacts – and on what level – have there been in the past few days between the U.S. government and the Foreign Ministry?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What we announced is that the Foreign Minister had a telephone conversation with Mr. Fried the day before yesterday; I would say it was a communication of an exploratory nature with a view to giving a clear picture of where Greece stands the day after.
Greece stands exactly on the position I gave you earlier, and this was the message reiterated by the Foreign Minister to Mr. Fried: to relaunch substantial negotiations, substantial dialogue, with a view to reaching a solution within the framework of the UN as soon as possible.
Ms. Karassava: Has there been a refusal on Ms. Rice’s part to talk to Ms. Bakoyannis? I mean, has there been an effort to communicate with her and Ms. Rice refused?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am surprised you would even ask that. As you are aware, professional Foreign Ministers – particularly when they represent the diplomacy of friendly and allied countries – continue their discussions, as open and sincere as they might be.
Traditionally good and allied relations enable precisely that: open sincere discussions, without secret agendas. It is only through open and sincere discussions that a substantial briefing can be given on these positions. This was what happened with the Foreign Minister’s conversation with Ms. Rice a few days ago. Once again, the question surprises me.
Ms. Tsaka: Mr. Spokesman, Albania’s accession to NATO means that Greece has won an allied partner.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Albania as well.
Ms. Tsaka: Does this mean that a new era has dawned for the two countries in order for any minor problems or any minor differences that exist in bilateral relations to be resolved?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: NATO's accession invitation to Albania is a development greeted by Greece in the most official manner through the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs; it is a positive development for Greek-Albanian relations, it is a positive development for the region.
Within this new framework, which is even more positive than the one which existed before, the course of bilateral relations will continue.
All these years, no shadows have been cast over good neighbourly relations between Greece and Albania. This was and still is the basic foundation, the necessary fundamental prerequisite, for any alliance.
As you know, there has never been an issue of good neighbourly relations with Albania over the past few years. Other issues that have at times been on the agenda of Greek-Albanian relations are administrative, technical matters that always exist between countries.
Ms. Tsaka: The second question. Greece’s veto on FYROM’s accession is in a way a veto of the Albanians on FYROM’s name; within the framework of negotiations between the two countries – FYROM and Greece – on the name issue, should Skopje have taken the Albanians’ role into account in order to take a position?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I understand your question, and I will give you a direct answer. I see no correlation whatsoever in your question's wording. Greece exercised its right as a state and as a member of the Alliance. The reasons for which it exercised its right have become a position of the Alliance in its latest communique.
Beyond that, it is entirely up to our neighbouring country to determine the way in which it handles negotiations, who has a say and who takes part in them, and also who can influence its negotiating position. I am not going to say anything on that.
To sum up: The Greek position is the position of a NATO member state. It has this right and it exercised it. I do not know of any rights that exist outside the Alliance, open to anyone.
Ms. Fryssa: I would like your comment on recent developments in Turkey.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you know, Greece is a sincere supporter of Turkey's European perspective, and as such, it is monitoring political developments in our neighbouring country very carefully. We hope that Turkey will do what is necessary to remain firmly dedicated to this perspective.
Ms. Nikolaou: Do you believe that developments in Turkey hinder the UN Secretary General’s new effort to resume negotiations?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no comment and I think that no linkage is necessary at this stage. With regard to the general issue, you know that we have expressed our hope for 2008 to be a year of substantial and constructive activity on the Cyprus issue. Within this framework, Greece welcomes the first positive steps made in this direction with the agreement of 21 March between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Talat, as well as the opening up of the Ledra Street checkpoint.
The faithful implementation of what has been agreed upon is the only safe way to resume a well-prepared process, as we have repeatedly said, with a view to reaching a fair, viable, and functional solution on the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Gilson: Two questions on Bucharest, on the talks.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, these are no longer days for reviewing but for planning ahead; anyway, ask me about Bucharest.
Mr. Gilson: I just wanted to touch upon a theoretical matter. Given that the Greek position in Bucharest was supported by other countries, such as France, Italy, etc., is the word veto used in the literal sense?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, in this sense, your question is interesting. There is a discussion within the Alliance on allied relations, national positions, convergences and divergences. In this particular case, Greece expressed its position with clarity and courage, and there were allies who contributed to this position or who have in any event shown that they fully understand Greece's position and arguments.
Others had a different take on the matter, but this discussion had the outcome that you are all aware of, because the Alliance’s texts are drawn up and its decisions are made consensually. And this is the way in which the joint communiqué was elaborated.
Greece had a position; it expressed it, analysed it, presented it; there were allies who agreed with it, there were others who had other priorities. It is the final outcome that counts.
Mr. Gilson: So was it a veto as the right of one member state or…
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: But I told you precisely. If there was no Greek position, you realise that…
Mr. Gilson: At the meetings between Ambassadors Dimitrov and Vassilakis, are there negotiations between these two representatives, or do the two sides give their positions to UN Mediator Mr. Nimetz, and he then puts forward different proposals as he sees fit? Have there ever been negotiations between the two?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Just a minute. I don’t think that anyone could conclude from the process, which has been repeated many times, particularly these past few months, that it is a question of shuttle diplomacy; all three are sat at the same table.
Mr. Gilson: Is there a discussion between Mssrs. Dimitrov and Nimetz?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Three people are sat at the same table and discuss. There is no screen between negotiators.
Mr. Tachtsidis: Does the name “Nova Macedonia” constitute a basis for negotiations as far as the Greek side is concerned?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is not the time, and there are no reasons or any logic for scenarios on the names that are under negotiation. As you know, negotiations continue and Greece has a clear negotiating position that has been declared to all sides. I am not going to go into a discussion on name scenarios.
Mr. Santamouris: There are similar issues on the agenda of discussions between Ms. Bakoyannis and Mr. Titov and Mr. Bryza.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: These are not trilateral meetings.
Mr. Santamouris: I understand. Is it possible that the issue of a high-level Greek mission to Moscow will be discussed at the meeting with the Russian official? Thank you.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Starting with the first, we live in an international community, which has been concerned for many years with issues that are, to a great extent, internationalized.
It is logical that there are similar – if not identical – points on the agenda; That is, if the Palestinian issue is discussed, for instance, it is of interest to everyone.
Now, with regard to your second question, you are very probably referring to a potential visit of the Prime Minister to Russia.
Mr. Santamouris: Possibly that, too.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know. What I do know and what you can go back to is the relevant question answered by Government Spokesman Mr. Roussopoulos at the briefing of political correspondents.
Thank you very much.