Athens, 8 February 2008

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. I’ll start the briefing with a few short announcements.

With regard to Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis’ programme, as we announced last week, on 11 February the Minister will travel to Valletta, Malta, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Yannis Valinakis, to participate in the Meeting of EU-Arab League Foreign Ministers.

On the following day, 12 February, Ms. Bakoyannis will depart for the United States. So far, the following meetings have been scheduled:

·       On the morning of 13 February, the Foreign Minister will speak at an event being organized by the Center for Strategic International Studies.

·       Also on 13 February, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with National Security Advisor Mr. Stephen Hadley.

·       On the evening of 13 February, a meeting has been scheduled at the Pentagon with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Mr. Gordon England.

·       On the morning of 14 February, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

·       Later the same day (14 February), she will meet with Deputy Secretary of State Mr. John Negroponte.

·       Also on 14 February, at 14:00 local time, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with her U.S. counterpart, Ms. Condoleezza Rice.

Beyond that, meetings have also been scheduled with the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and with members of the House of Representatives, in the presence of the Speaker of the House, Ms. Nancy Pelosi.

Upon completing her visit to Washington, Ms. Bakoyannis will fly to Brussels to participate in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on Monday, 18 February, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mr. Valinakis.

Regarding Mr. Valinakis other activities, on Wednesday, 13 February, he will be in Kiev to represent our country at the Meeting of Foreign Ministers from the EU and the countries of the Black Sea. While in Kiev, Mr. Valinakis will also have bilateral meetings with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Nemyrya, as well as with a number of other Ukrainian government officials.

On Friday, 15 February, Mr. Valinakis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the EU’s Consumer Protection Commissioner, Ms. Meglena Kuneva.

Regarding Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Doukas’ programme, he will be in Budapest on 12 February to meet with Hungary’s Deputy Minister of Economics and Transportation within the framework of the Greek-Hungarian Joint Working Group. The main issues to be covered at this meeting are trade, combined transport and energy.

That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.

Ms. Adam: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: All of the issues that will be addressed in the Foreign Minister’s meeting with her U.S. counterpart. The same range of issues will also be discussed with all of the officials with whom meetings are scheduled.

I don’t have anything more on this. Beyond the fact that we cannot rule out a dynamic in a particular discussion that might lead to a stronger focus on one issue or another.

Ms. Adam: Fine. So can you tell us what the issues are?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think we went through them at our last meeting. The course of Greek-U.S. bilateral relations – issues concerning our bilateral relations. And, beyond that, issues of international and regional interest, with emphasis on the situation in the Western Balkans – in Kosovo – and obviously the ongoing negotiations on finding a mutually acceptable solution on the FYROM name issue.

Ms. Adam: Pardon me for insisting here, but what aspect of the Skopje name issue – which is clearly why the Minister is making the trip – will be discussed with the Pentagon?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think the answer is obvious from what I’ve said and what you know.

Mr. Hadoulis: The information we have from Kosovo indicates that we may see a declaration of independence with 10 days, perhaps on Sunday, 17 February.

I wanted to ask whether the information you have confirms this, and whether Greece will wait for this development to take place or, instead, perhaps make an announcement earlier on whether or not it supports independence.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing to add to what I have told you up to now regarding this issue. Greece approaches this issue that is critical for regional stability and security with extreme care, and our intention is to examine every parameter and every dimension of this question in order to formulate our final position.

Beyond that, as you know – and as we said at our last meeting – first of all the political decision has been taken to move ahead with the EU mission in Kosovo; a mission in which Greece, of course, has decided it must have a presence.

Beyond that, with regard to working out the operational details of this particular mission, if there is anything to announce at a later stage, it will be announced. I mean the precise nature of Greece’s participation, etc.

Regarding the timeframe for a potential unilateral declaration of independence, I obviously have nothing to tell you. And in any case it is not a matter for the Greek Foreign Ministry – or any other Foreign Ministry – to designate or announce in any direct or indirect manner what might happen with regard to Pristina’s actions.

Ms. Fryssa: I would like a comment on the statements made yesterday by Mr. Crvenkovski.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yesterday’s statements from Mr. Crvenkovski come following a number of statements of similar content and tone made by officials from the neighbouring country.

We see persisting intransigence; insistence on the stale logic of full bilateralization of the issue. We see persistent recourse to provocative statements and actions aimed at Greece. We – and the Minister in particular – have set out many times what I think are very clear arguments for why this is not a bilateral issue.

Within this framework and under these conditions, the negotiations – which were very difficult from the outset – remain extremely difficult.

Greece remains firm in its position, which is a message and an invitation to substantial negotiations for the purpose of achieving a mutually acceptable solution, as set down in the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Such a solution would immediately create the conditions for a better future for the region; for both countries and for our neighbouring country’s European perspective.

And the government in Skopje should very carefully assess the positive dimension that such a mutually acceptable solution would have, and carefully assess the losses that would be incurred if there is no such solution. Particularly what our neighbouring country stands to lose.

Greece isn’t threatening anyone. For a very long time now, Greece has been pursuing a mutually acceptable solution. Our objective is to achieve this solution, and not to exclude countries – and neighbouring countries, at that – from their Euro-Atlantic perspective, because Greece’s strategic goal is for all of our neighbours to have a Euro-Atlantic perspective.

I want to stress, however – and we have said this repeatedly and remain clear on this – that allied relations, relations of solidarity, quite logically cannot be built on serious pending or outstanding issues that concern the core of the principle of good neighbourly relations.

Mr. Athanasopoulos: There were two very interesting points in Mr. Crvenkovski’s statements. The one was that he expressed the conviction that within the next three or, at the most, four weeks we will have developments on this issue, and the issue will not go to the Summit Meeting. And the other was his specific statements on the stance it is believed the U.S. will take. What is your comment on this? Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to developments – the intensification of developments – I think it is a logical conclusion given that before us we really have the critical point in the decisions regarding our neighbouring country’s invitation for possible accession to NATO.

I remind you that this is not a deadline for the negotiations, but it is nevertheless a reality. It is a reality that very obviously impacts and influences the ongoing negotiations.

Beyond that, as you know, Mr. Nimetz is continuing his efforts – his mandate is in force.

He is expected in Athens at some point, probably by the end of February; In the time between the Foreign Minister’s return from the U.S. and the end of February.

Mr. Santamouris: Mr. Spokesman, there was an article a few days ago in the “Kathimerini” daily, according to which the United States is going to ask Greece at the two Foreign Ministers’ meeting to accept a solution on the recognition of the neighbouring country with a compound name for international organisations and Greece, and of course the name “Republika Macedonija” for the country’s bilateral relations. What is Greece’s comment and what is your comment on the fact that, about a month and a half ago exactly the same suggestion was made publicly by Skopje’s former Prime Minister, Mr. Georgievski. Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me make it clear that the Greek government has not received any such specific official proposal. With regard to the substance of the alleged thoughts, proposals, etc., you realise that I am not going to comment.

Moreover, any comment on these – which are in any event based on press information and not on official announcements – would indirectly concern our country’s stance and negotiating tactics in an ongoing confidential negotiation process under the auspices of the United Nations.

I will not go into that.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Mr. Spokesman, I have two questions. The first question: From what you have said so far regarding the pending issue on the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, I think that we are very near a deadlock, a diplomatic, a negotiating deadlock on the name. Is my assessment far from the truth or maybe not?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece’s objective is for there not to be a deadlock; it is for a mutually acceptable solution. This is our objective. This is the basis of our efforts. This is our strategic goal. Beyond that, I will repeat what I have already said. It was and still is an extremely difficult negotiation. 

Mr. Kapoutsis: And my second question: Ms. Bakoyannis stated a while ago that Greece will not be among the first countries to recognise independence, an eventual Kosovo independence. You yourself said the same thing in our previous meeting here. Do you insist on that position today or has it changed to some extent? I mean the Foreign Ministry.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Foreign Minister’s statements are absolutely true.

Ms. Antoniou: Mr. Spokesman, you said earlier that you do not want to go into, or rather refer to our country’s negotiating stance in order not to violate the confidentiality of the process.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me add here that the outline and the basic elements of Greece’s position are – in any event – well known; both domestically and abroad.

Ms. Antoniou: Yes. A week ago, in our previous briefing, your wording was that Greece's position is one name, one name for everything. Does this position still stand?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have said nothing more than what the Foreign Minister clearly said a while ago, at the briefing of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs. Yes, Greece is looking for an international “erga omnes” name, for everything.

Ms. Adam: On the same matter. For the Greek side, does a mutually acceptable name – if it is achieved – automatically means a change in the name that has been recognised by all the states that have bilaterally recognised Skopje as “Macedonia”?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I believe that within this framework, the outline and characteristics of the Greek position are known to everyone both in Greece and abroad. I also reminded you of the position that was presented by the Foreign Minister before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs.

Ms. Adam: (initially off microphone) The Foreign Minister did not refer to such matters at the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am not talking about the latest meeting of this Committee. At one of the oldest meetings the Minister presented the position I just described. Besides, all this is well known. I do not think I am bringing something new into the discussion.

Mr. Athanassopoulos: Forgive me if I am playing with words, but when you say a name for every use and an international “erga omnes” name, somebody might say that a name for every use is one thing, an international “erga omnes” name is another. Please correct me if I’m wrong. 

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There is nothing that needs clarifying. Things are very clear.

Mr. Santamouris: Mr. Spokesman, our neighbouring country is in constant negotiations with Greece within the framework of the United Nations. Confidentiality was always a condition that both sides were supposed to abide by. The big news on future developments, irrespective of whether they later came true or not, came from the Skopje side. Greece indeed kept a less divulging – let’s say – stance vis-a-vis what was happening behind the diplomatic scenes. What had been officially announced in advance was, first of all, confirmed or denied by Skopje. Skopje gave a sense of what would follow. This is an assessment – I am not asking for a comment on that. But I would like to ask for your comment on the fact that – apart from what I noted earlier – there are many things regarding the stance of the foreign powers that have been announced by Skopje in advance – a few weeks, a few months beforehand – and so on. Has Athens tabled similar proposals to the international community that are significant, that have an impact on negotiations?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We do not play with procedures. The course of the negotiations is followed in the conviction that our positions and our arguments are significant and have an impact. They are moving in the direction that I think everyone wants. That is, finding a mutually acceptable solution so that this issue will – from now on – become part of the past, and so that the conditions for a much better future are put in place.

κ. Mr. Santamouris:  Please allow me to ask one more question on a different subject. A decision has been taken – as is known – by the European Council on the EU force for Kosovo. We know that in order for the mission to be completed, there are certain preliminary stages, and a preparation based on protocol. At what stage is this preparation on the Greek side?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that this was answered yesterday by the alternate government spokesman. Because the particular operational characteristics have not yet been finalised, I told you that Greece will be present, it must be present in this mission.

Beyond that, with regard to the form that this force will take, let me remind you that the main characteristic of this mission is not the military, but the civilian and police force. Greece’s contribution will therefore move within this framework.

Mr. Kapoutsis: Yesterday, Mr. Meimarakis announced Greece’s participation in the police force and that military forces will stay there.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What Mr. Meimarakis said stands, and it agrees with what I just mentioned.

Mr. Hadoulis: I would like to ask two questions: the first is a very brief question based on previous answers.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Brief questions usually beget long answers.

Mr. Hadoulis: It will probably be a brief one. Has there been any new information on the issue of India, the Greek citizens that are there?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing new on that. We stand on what we said at the last briefing.

Mr. Hadoulis: My second question relates to illegal immigration. Are we satisfied with how Turkey has been complying with its obligations on this issue, and if not, at what stage are discussions on this issue, at the level of the Foreign Ministry and at the level of other Ministries that you might be informed about?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you understand, I cannot speak on behalf of other Ministries. With regard to your question on how interstate cooperation between Greece and Turkey is moving forward, we seek and wish for a continuous improvement and further improvement of this cooperation and we call upon the neighbouring country to address the issue in this manner. Steps have been taken lately, also through the meeting of the heads of the two countries’ Coast Guards, and a decision has been taken for expert committee meetings to be held.

We are asking for an even greater, even stronger, response on the part of Turkey with regard to the implementation of the bilateral agreement, and at the same time – and this is equally important, if not more so – we hope and expect that there will be substantial progress on the readmission agreement between Turkey and the European Union, because progress on this issue and on this particular agreement is far less than what would be considered satisfactory.

Thank you.