Athens , 12 March 2010

Mr. Papapanagiotou: We have Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas on the line, so let’s see how the Prime Minister’s trip to three capitals came off – what the outcome is. Mr. Minister, good morning.

Mr. Droutsas: Good morning, and good morning to your listeners.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: Mr. Droutsas, can you give us an outline of what we got and what we gave on this trip?

Mr. Droutsas: I often hear people talking about Greece’s giving something in exchange – ‘What did the  Greek Prime Minister give in exchange?’ Allow me to say clearly and categorically that Greece did not give anything in exchange. Greece and the Greek government, from the moment it took on the responsibility of the governance of the country, has show particular seriousness in dealing with the difficulties that our country has at this time. This has been acknowledged by our international partners. They have also acknowledged the sacrifices being made by the Greek people. The measures aren’t pleasant for anyone.

All this has been acknowledged. And I dare say that we have reason be very satisfied with the results of the Prime Minister’s tour of four capitals – he was in Luxembourg before he went to Berlin. It is like recognition of Greece’s merit, the merit of the Greek people, for the serious stance being shown at this time.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: Mr. Droutsas, were national issues broached at all? I’m not saying that any one discussion on its own puts us immediately in mind of concessions or anything else, but one can see that given the outstanding issues and various matters related to all that, the discussions might – not immediately, but at some later stage – give rise to developments.

Mr. Droutsas: We of course discussed issues of particular interest to Greece. First of all, we ourselves – the Prime Minister – use these opportunities to set out Greece’s positions and explain them yet again. These positions are clear and well known as they pertain to developments on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, developments in the Balkans, and of course the issue of the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

I would like to stress once again that Greece has very firm and clear positions on all of these issues, and this has been appreciated by our collocutors. Also appreciated, I think, is the fact that from the very outset, this government has exercised a policy of initiatives.

We want to take the reins into our hands on our own issues and show the way. That is what is important.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: Some are saying that, given the economic problems the country is facing and the consequences for the national sovereignty issues – as set out by the Prime Minister – created by all this, this is not the right time to open our national issues or promote them decisively at this phase. And some are saying that, no, nothing has changed, we have a policy, we have a firm line that we are following. In your opinion, which of these two is correct.

Mr. Droutsas: All opinions are respected, and we of course bear all thoughts and proposals very seriously in mind. We do this through ongoing dialogue with all of the country’s political forces. In Parliament, and outside Parliament. We consider this a given. And it is the only right way to go about things, because these are, as you called them, national issues. And on these issues, we need understanding, dialogue with all of the political forces.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: Right, but you speed things up or slow them down at given times.

Mr. Droutsas: Precisely because we feel that in recent years, with a fairly passive stance, we have come to a point where Greece is in something of a defensive stance on all these issues, that is why we believe the best approach is for us to take initiatives, to show the way.

When you are moving, you can point to the way you want to go. When you’re not moving, when you are standing still, the other side will take you in the direction they want to go, and it probably isn’t in your interest. That is why I advocate a foreign policy of serious initiatives, serious preparation.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: So the country’s financial situation doesn’t impact its negotiating clout.

Mr. Droutsas: That’s what I was getting at: yes, the country is facing difficulties on the financial front, but this doesn’t mean that this impacts our national issues. It clearly doesn’t make things any easier, either. But – and I will not tire of repeating this – we think that we have succeeded from the very outset in exercising a foreign policy of initiatives; a foreign policy where we show the way we want to go.

Mr. Papapanagiotou: That’s very clear, Mr. Droutsas. Thank you very much.

Mr. Droutsas: And I thank you.