Athens, 10 September 2008

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good afternoon. Some brief announcements.

Following the success of the ‘Green Business and the Environment’ conference held on 8 July, the Foreign Ministry – in collaboration with the Rural Development Ministry – is holding a conference on Rural Entrepreneurship: Greek Products and Cutting-edge Technology. This event will take place on Tuesday, 16 September, at the Foreign Ministry’s Kranidiotis Amphitheatre. It is to be followed by other conferences of this type, in collaboration with the competent ministries, with the aim of promoting the most modern products and services Greek industry and entrepreneurship have to offer.

Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will host a dinner at the Foreign Ministry this evening – at 19:30 – for the Ambassadors of Muslim countries to Greece. This dinner marks Ramadan.

Tomorrow, Thursday, 11 September, at 11:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will receive the UN Independent Expert on Minorities, Ms. McDoughall, at the Foreign Ministry.

At 12:00 tomorrow, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with her Serbian counterpart, Mr. Jeremic. They will make statements to the media following their meeting.

At 16:30, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with Hungarian Foreign Minister Ms. Goncz. They will make statements to the media at about 18:00.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Yannis Valinakis will participate in these two latter meetings.

On Monday, 15 September 2008, Ms. Bakoyannis and Mr. Valinakis will travel to Brussels for the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). The agenda will include developments in the Caucasus, the situation in the Western Balkans and Zimbabwe.

Ms. Bakoyannis will be in Paris on the evening of 16 September to deliver a speech on Greek foreign policy at the well-known French Institute for International Relations (IFRI)

On Wednesday, 17 September, Ms. Bakoyannis will have a series of bilateral meetings in Paris with her counterparts from the five Central Asian states. On Thursday, 18 September, she will participate in the proceedings of the first EU-Central Asian Forum on Security Issues.

On 20 September, Ms. Bakoyannis will travel to New York for the proceedings of the UN General Assembly. A detailed itinerary for that trip will be announced as soon as it is finalised.

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On to the activities of Deputy FM Mr. Valinakis: On Thursday, 11 September, at 20:00, will deliver the opening speech at an international academic conference being hosted by the Hellenic Center for European Studies (EKEM) on “The Return of the Balkans – Threats and Challenges in Southeast Europe today: Institutional answers for a future of peace and prosperity”. This Conference will take place as the Delphi European Cultural Centre.

On the margins of Monday’s GAERC, Mr. Valinakis will meet with the EU’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner, Mr. Borg.

Tomorrow, 11 September, at 20:00, Deputy FM Mr. Kassimis will give a welcome speech at the opening of the photography exhibit being hosted by the Hungarian Embassy at Technopolis. The exhibit is entitled “Greeks in Hungary”, and will be opened by Hungarian Foreign Minister Ms. Goncz.

From 11 to 15 September, the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General for European Affairs, Mr. Katsoudas, will carry out a working visit to Oslo, where he will discuss issues concerning the course of the Lisbon Treaty, the promotion of CFSP and the illegal migration issue.

With regard to an article printed in an evening paper on August 29, concerning the honorary Consulate General in Strasbourg, I would like to stress that the article is completely groundless. The Honorary Consulate General is functioning satisfactorily and discharging its duties fully. In the coming days, Mr. Rosenstiehl will be sworn in and will head the Honorary Consulate General in Strasbourg. Mr. Rosenstiehl was chosen following the procedure provided for by law for choosing and appointing honorary consulates general.

Are there any questions?

Mr. Kalarrytis: Do we know the reason for Ms. McDoughall’s visit to Greece? Is she looking for some ‘minority’, has she notified us of what exactly she wants?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ll clarify a few things so that we have a clear understanding of the framework of the visit in question.

All of the countries that have signed the Convention on Human Rights – among which is our country – have accepted that there is a “standing invitation” (as stated in the relevant regulation and in her mandate) for UN Independent Experts on these issues to visit these countries.

So it is up to the independent expert to request an invitation to some country. Ms. McDoughall recently visited France and Hungary.

Her itinerary has two components, as always in such cases, and in accordance with her mandate. One is worked out in collaboration and consultation with the government of the country she is visiting; in this case, Greece. And the other section of her itinerary, based on her mandate and the stipulations that have been accepted by countries that are signatories to the Convention, is completely free. She goes wherever and visits whomever she pleases. So that is the framework of Ms. McDoughall’s visit to Greece. She is already here and will be here till 17 September.

Mr. Kottaridis: Can you at least tell us the itinerary she will follow – the programme she has worked out with the Greek side?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have that with me right now. But I could add some information to the transcript of the briefing.

Mr. Fourlis: Can you confirm that Thrace, some other geographical areas, are on her programme?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I gave you the framework for the visit, answering the specific question. I said that the programme has two components. I think I explained them clearly. I have nothing further to announce – as the Foreign Ministry spokesman – regarding her programme.

Mr. Pollatos: Do you agree with Skopje Prime Minister Gruevski’s appraisal that FYROM will not get a date for the opening of accession negotiations with the EU at this December’s Summit.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t think there is any reason for me to comment on the appraisals of our neighbouring country’s Prime Minister. The only thing I want to say is that it has been observable throughout this recent period that the government of our neighbouring country is systematically stymieing the negotiation process so that there is no justification for any optimism.

Beyond that, of course, the process – as you know – is still alive, and I don’t think that anyone should jump to any certain conclusions regarding developments. But it is a fact that at this time the climate that has taken shape – due to a persistent stance characterised by insistence on intransigent positions, counterproductive statements, etc., from Skopje – is not a climate that allows for and justifies optimism.

Ms. Antoniou: Mr. Spokesman, based on the UN announcement yesterday of the programme of the meetings Mr. Nimetz will have with the negotiators from Greece and Skopje, should we expect anything different from the recent meetings – the submission of specific proposals this time, perhaps?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think I covered this in my previous answer. I told you what the atmosphere is like right now. I also said the negotiation process is alive and that it would be a mistake to jump to conclusions regarding how it might evolve. But there is an objective observation. That at this time the atmosphere is characterised by the counterproductive stance of the Skopje side. We’re not responsible for it.

Let me add here – perhaps repeating certain things we’ve said before. Throughout this time, the government of Skopje has been conducting itself more and more nationalistically, more and more counterproductively.

It is clear that the tactics and strategy of the FYROM government are fixed on the past – and what’s worse, on a completely distorted reading of the past. It is in serious danger of losing the future. We are not responsible for this.

Ms. Peloni: Mr. Spokesman, given Skopje’s counterproductive stance as you said – the counterproductive stance of the Skopje government – is the Foreign Ministry concerned about certain moves that Skopje might make at the UN General Assembly? And if so, whether the Foreign Ministry has made any preparations.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: States are represented in and participate in this very serious process – the proceedings of the UN General Assembly – having made their choices, having determined their own priorities.

I will not enter into a discussion of what the states – including our neighbouring state – who will participate are planning or might be planning. Beyond that, the Greek Delegation and the Greek Mission are thoroughly prepared for this trip.

Mr. Stavroullakis: I would like to ask precisely what is happening with the HiPERB money and FYROM. Is there any relevant literature? Will you give us a clarification on this?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ll give you a general answer. If you think something more specific is required – as I see there have been references to this in the press – I also have specific data. But let’s stay with a general answer.

As we have seen in the cases of many recent developments, Greece has a central and consistent characteristic in its policy: its consistency. Consistency in how it exercises its policy. Compliance with its agreements. Consistency with regard to the programmes and policies announced.

So, in particular with regard to FYROM, there is consistency in our policy regarding the issue of the negotiations on the name; that is, the issue we are dealing with. With a firmness that was tested, but confirmed, in Bucharest, in the clearest manner, and afterwards in Brussels. But there is both credibility and consistency in what Greece announces.

HiPERB, as a general programme, was announced in 2002, extended to 2011, and there was never an issue of its implementation being suspended. Beyond that, the manner in which the country-by-country funding provided for is disbursed depends, first of all, on how far along preparations are and the submission of the relevant, specific proposals for funding from the interested countries, and second of all, on a series of procedures that have to be completed in order for the money to be disbursed.

Mr. Kallarytis: Disbursement doesn’t depend on a series of other parameters – conduct towards our country, etc.? It’s just a technical issue? Procedural?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: HiPERB is a specific Programme of a developmental nature and has to do with development priorities for the region as well as Greece. Because a developed region in Greece’s neighbourhood has clear advantages for our country.

Specifically with regard to the issue of disbursements. The disbursements of Greek aid – in particular regarding Corridor X, which is one of the programmes that has been chosen for funding by HiPERB – will begin after the awarding of the project to contractors, following an international tender competition. That’s where we are right now. The international tender competition has not been completed. That hasn’t moved ahead, so, consequently, disbursements have not been carried out.

Let me remind you here that HiPERB covers three categories of projects for each country:

·                               Major projects in the form of public investment

·                               The small project fund, and

·                               Reinforcing private enterprise investments.

The distribution of the sum of funding for each country is 79% for the first category of projects, 1% for the second category, and 19% for the third category.

For FYROM in particular, the total sum is about €74 million. 79% of that is earmarked for Corridor X and another programme for a high-speed optic fibre network that involves all of the countries in the region, including Skopje. Eight projects in the second category – small projects – have been approved for Skopje, mainly in the health sector, and these have been completed. For the remaining 20%, which concerns private investments and comes to about €15 million, 6 investments have been  chosen, and 4 of those have been completed.

That’s exactly how the situation stands today.

Ms. Kourbela: A clarification, because a lot has been said. Is it or is it not the case that 100% of HiPERB money is Greek taxpayers’ money? I mean that this money does not come from the European Union. Because the neighbouring country has said that …

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It can’t be from the European Union, because the title of the programme – Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans – would be different.

Mr. Kottaridis: Let me ask you something. Do you consider it logical that at a time of serious economic distress in Greece, when the government is looking for funds in every possible way, such a sum is being given to a government that obviously is not in the least concerned about having good relations with us.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greek foreign policy’s capital and advantage – and that of our country’s international image – is that our foreign policy is characterised by consistency. Greece will implement the programmes agreed upon based on specific laid-down rules. This is the first point.

The second point is the policy that we are implementing on the particular issue that is of concern to us with regard to our neighbouring country, which has to do with the pending question of determining its name. There are negotiations on this issue as well, and the Greek position is clear and it is characterised by consistency.

Mr. Papathanassiou: You said that the Skopje side has created a climate that doesn’t permit optimism.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, it doesn't allow for optimism.

Mr. Papathanassiou: At the same time, is Greece, for its part, coming to the negotiating table with a constructive attitude? Is it willing to welcome any new proposals from Mr. Nimetz.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The outline of the Greek position is clear; it has been repeated to excess. I will not repeat it. Greece’s intention, Greece’s policy is for a solution to be achieved. It is not the perpetuation of this problem, which is negative on many levels. It is negative for bilateral relations, negative for our neighbouring country’s European aspirations, and of course negative for regional cooperation.

Let me then say that it is in this spirit that we are going to the negotiations. We are in these negotiations. We never stopped being in these negotiations, we never stopped wanting the negotiations to move forward, for a mutually acceptable solution to be found. But at the same time, we’ve said that the solution and good neighbourly relations are a prerequisite for Skopje’s European course.

The key to our neighbouring country’s European and Euroatlantic course and progress is a solution because it is an issue of good neighbourly relations. We’ve stressed it in all possible ways. We are not moving from the Greek position, and we are not moving from our sincere and persistent willingness to find a solution on this issue.

Ms. Nikolaou: Yesterday, the Minister said that communication and cooperation between Athens and Nicosia are constant and substantial and will be reinforced whenever necessary. In what way will this cooperation be reinforced? Is there a plan to take initiatives in view of tomorrow’s talks?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: If and when the time comes and if the need arises, the ways in which it will be reinforced will be announced. They are not a secret. Besides, Mr. Kyprianou’s visit yesterday – the first official visit in his capacity as Foreign Minister – which was held, on the one hand, following Mr. Downer’s visit to Athens and a day before the start of talks, is indicative of and confirms Greece's attitude and its decision to cooperate in the most substantial manner with the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr. Fourlis: I am asking, and I was seriously struck by the fact that – apart from intentions to support Cyprus – Mr. Erdogan, for example, travelled to Cyprus this year, whereas Mr. Karamanlis didn't. We didn't see Mr. Karamanlis and we are wondering if the Prime Minister intends to travel to Nicosia in the near future or be involved in a more active manner. But I know it is difficult for you to answer that, because it has to do with the Prime Minister. But I would, most of all, like to ask you why we are surprised by U.S. appraisals and optimism expressed in certain circles, and I’m wondering whether in the past few days, you asked to be briefed by U.S. officials as to their optimism and where it comes from. Because I assume that, given you’ve repeatedly said any third party help is welcome and you were, in fact, asked particularly regarding the United States and never rejected help from the U.S. – as a Ministry, I mean –, I imagine that it would be reasonable to ask those who help or who appear willing to help, why they are optimistic, when you today are obviously not sharing that optimism.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Allow me here to recap, because much time has passed since similar issues were discussed – so as to avoid misunderstandings – what Greece said; i.e., that efforts or a contribution through support for the United Nations process, the only and main process for finding a solution, are welcome. But as such. Not as autonomous initiatives, beyond and outside the UN framework. Simply to bring it back, because many months have gone by and it is good for some things to be said, so that we know precisely where we stand.

Appraisals made and reported officially are still just appraisals. I wish it were the case. But our appraisals at the present stage, based on real developments, on real data, are the ones I set out for you. I have nothing further to add to that.

Mr. Gogas: I would like to move on to another issue. Whether you have anything to announce about yesterday’s Inter-party meeting at the Ministry on voting rights for Greeks abroad. Where do we stand on that?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Interior Minister Mr. Pavlopoulos made statements last night, coming out of that meeting. There are clear references in the Prime Minister’s speech today before the ministerial cabinet. For my part, and given that the discussion was held at the Foreign Ministry and there is an element of competency as it concerns Greeks abroad, I would like to say that we are truly sorry last night's discussion was not constructive.

Ms. Boudouri: I would like to ask a question regarding the crisis in the Caucasus given that I imagine the issue will become the subject of discussions in the Foreign Minister’s contacts tomorrow with her counterparts from Serbia and Hungary, and given that hours following the EU Troika‘s visit to Moscow, Russia announced that it will deploy 6,700 troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Today, there was an incident at a border post in Georgia. Do you believe that these moves are torpedoing the European Union’s efforts to defuse the crisis? And a second question. Whether Greece is taking part in the 200-strong observer mission to South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the last point. Indeed, it was decided for a European observer mission to be sent to the region, something which was agreed upon by Russia and Georgia during the French President’s recent trip. This discussion and the preparation for this mission has begun at the level of the European Union. Its implementation is now a technical issue.

We are of course willing for Greece to be present. Allow me to let you know further down the line, when, how, to what extent and in what form. Because, as I already told you, the discussion and preparation of this mission has just begun.

With regard to your first question, I have no comment. What is going to matter, what is of importance, is for what was agreed upon during Mr. Sarkozy’s recent visit to Moscow and Tbilisi concerning the times for the withdrawal of troops, etc., to be abided by.

If I am not mistaken, there is a timeframe until 1 October. Beyond that, there are provisions for a negotiation process, an international dialogue, to start; a dialogue aimed at finding a solution. There is also an important statement by Mr. Sarkozy that provided these time frames and this framework are abided by, he sees nothing hindering the smooth proceeding of preparations for the planned Summit meeting in mid-November – 14 November if I’m not mistaken – between Russia and the European Union.

Mr. Santamouris: I would like to ask whether there is a scheduled meeting between Ms. Bakoyannis and her counterpart from Skopje or whether we can at least rule out such a meeting within the framework of the UN General Assembly. This is my first question. The second has to do with the clarification you gave that every effort to support the UN process is welcome, that it could be interpreted by us as a de facto and a priori rejection of a potential U.S. proposal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to how this position is interpreted, I do not need to clarify it. It was crystal clear, I think. There is only one process that can produce results in terms of the resolution of this issue and this is the process of the United Nations. This is crystal clear, there is no question of rejecting or not rejecting. This is the framework of negotiations.

With regard to the meetings. There is no scheduled meeting at the moment. I don’t think a meeting will be planned. But, as I told you, given that the process is ongoing, I cannot rule out – and it would be wrong of me to rule out – the possibility of such a meeting in New York during the Foreign Minister’s and the Skopje officials’ week-long stay in New York. I stress that there is nothing at this time.

Mr. Santamouris: Mr. Richard Holbrooke was in Skopje recently and – according to the media in Skopje – asked our neighbouring country to recognise Kosovo. If something like that happens in the coming period and perhaps before the end of the UN General Assembly, do you think that the basic parameters on the name are changing?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’m afraid my answer will be the usual one. It is a hypothesis and I will not answer a hypothetical question. In any event, Mr. Holbrooke currently visited our neighbouring country as a private individual. This statement is noted, but that's as far as it goes.

Mr. Karakostas: The date of 26 September was leaked.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: If and when that happens, the Greek side will make the corresponding evaluation.

Mr. Pollatos: You said that Greece's policy on the issue of Skopje is characterised by consistency and credibility. Could you tell us if the government’s position on finding an international name, valid for everyone, still stands?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, definitely. What was said still stands.

Mr. Pollatos: An international name for everyone.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What has been said officially. I refer you specifically to the Prime Minister’s speech in Thessaloniki, which is the most recent official position. Please look at the text of the Prime Minister’s speech and what he said later, of course.  

Ms. Antoniou: With regard to the new passports issued by Kosovo, does Greece recognise them or not?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Kosovo passports are not recognised. There is, however, a specific process where the visa is on a separate piece of paper.

Ms. Tsaka: Two days ago, the President of the Albanian National Movement made a proposal, he stated that “we are in favour of two names, Macedonia-Illirida”. He also stated that Albanians cannot remain hostages of the megalomania of Slav-Macedonians, who remain firm on the negotiation of the name, and not be able to accede to NATO or the European Union as a result. How do you see this proposal?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know what exactly this particular organisation that you mentioned represents. It might be a perfectly respectable and serious organisation, but I don’t know it. It would be interesting to raise your question with my counterpart in Skopje.

Ms. Tsaka: And one last question. There are repeated meetings between the governments of Albania and Greece, the Friendship Agreement of 1996 was mentioned, which includes a reference to the assets of the two countries’ citizens. Given that the deadline for the national land registry expires on 31/10, is there a risk for those who hope to claim land of losing their right to do that?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: On the part regarding the Friendship Agreement of 1996, which is now the Ministry’s competence, I would like to say that one of the agreement’s articles provides for the examination of a series of issues by specific committees. When these committees reach an conclusion, I think it would be interesting to see the results of these bilateral special committees.

With regard to the issue of the Greek land registry, I would kindly ask you to address your question to the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works. 

Thank you.