Athens , 4 April 2007

Journalist: The Foreign Minister met recently with the UN Secretary General and their discussions also included the Cyprus issue. What is your assessment – are we at the beginning of a process that might lead to a new initiative?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: In New York, there was indeed an in-depth discussion on the Cyprus issue between Ms. Bakoyannis and the UN Secretary General. It is very positive that Mr. Ban Ki-moon, just three months in office – literally at the beginning of his mandate – has fully and clearly become a supporter of Greek positions and views on this national issue.

A renewed effort to reach a settlement within the UN framework is necessary. This might come as the result of good preparation on solid foundations. This is the only way in which we will have the necessary guarantees for a successful outcome this time.

There is a framework for such preparations. It is the agreement between President Papadopoulos and the former UN Secretary General Mr. Annan in Paris, as well as last July’s meeting.

As Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis stressed to her collocutors, the Cypriot government is using this framework with moderation and a constructive spirit.

In this sincere effort, however, it faces the petty pretexts, obstructionism and last-minute retractions on the part of the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

Journalist: The Greek Cypriot side insists on the implementation of the 8 July agreement, and while we were expecting a statement from the UN that there was an agreement between the two sides on re-launching the technical committee proceedings, the Turkish Cypriot side withdrew. What is your comment?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It seems that the Turkish Cypriot side did not finally get the green light to start substantial negotiations. Perhaps at some point it did, but it seems that it the red light went on again.

Journalist: One thing is for certain. The technical committee and working group proceedings must start without further delay. The ball is now in the other side’s court.

The recent meeting between Mr. Talat and the accredited Ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to the Republic of Cyprus might encourage him to free himself of this negative mindset and move in the right direction; towards substantial dialogue.

Journalist: Do you believe that the decision of the Republic of Cyprus to move ahead with the demolition of the wall in Ledra street will help implement the 8 July agreement?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The demolition of the wall in Ledra street was a courageous unilateral move from the Cypriot government; a clear message of good will; an invitation to the other side for moderation and taking steps forward. I therefore believe that it helps, yes.

For the time being, however, everyone sees that the response of the other side to this positive initiative is embarrassment, numbness and inertia.

Journalist: With regard to the EU regulation on direct trade with occupied Cyprus, where do the discussions stand?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Cypriot government has substantial consultations with the German Presidency. As you know, this issue is set against the background of the efforts that began with the Luxembourg Presidency and were sustained until the Finnish Presidency. I do not think that, at this stage, we can say something more on that.

In any event, irrespective of the outcome on the trade regulation issue, one has to stress that there are many ways and steps to financially support Turkish Cypriots and their mutually beneficial cooperation with the free section, without in any way calling into question international legality as defined in UN Security Council resolutions that are relevant to the Cyprus issue.

The Cypriot government is working intensively in this direction. President  Papadopoulos and Foreign Minister Lillikas have confirmed that there is a unilateral Cypriot initiative on financially supporting Turkish Cypriots, on which the German Presidency and the European Commission have already been briefed.

Journalist: What is Greece’s stance vis-a-vis the continuing refusal on the part of Ankara to implement the Additional protocol to the Ankara Agreement regarding a customs union with Cyprus and opening its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes? How do you comment on the stance on the part of Greece’s partners in the European Union on this issue?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Turkey has undertaken an obligation and a commitment to implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement to all member states, bar none, including the Republic of Cyprus, of course. This does not change and there is agreement on it within the European Union.

At the present stage, we are implementing the decisions of last December’s Foreign Minister’s Council. These decisions have shown that refusal to comply entails substantial consequences. The prolonging of this persistent refusal will burden an already heavy and difficult accession process even further. In addition, it would add arrows to the quivers of those who are against Turkey’s accession to the European Union. Everyone knows that Greece and Cyprus are not among the country’s opposed to Turkish accession.

We support Turkey's European perspective. We are prepared to recognize any positive steps that it makes in the direction of its European compliance. At the same time, we cannot see progress where there is none.

Journalist: Where do Turkey’s accession negotiations stand and what is Greece’s stance on the opening of new chapters with Turkey?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I already mentioned that the accession negotiations are proceeding according to the decision taken by the 25 member states last December.

For the time being – for the past three months or so – Chapter 20 on “Enterprise and Industrial Policy” has “opened”. We expect certain other chapters to “open” by the end of the Presidency.