Athens, 12 June 2008

Mr. Kyprianou: I would like to express my great pleasure at the honour of having here today the Foreign Minister of Greece, my colleague Dora Bakoyannis. Of course, we have been cooperating closely since I took up my duties – when we met in Athens during my first week as Foreign Minister, with the President of the Republic, as well as at the European councils, within the framework of the various European bodies we participate in.

This is an important visit because – beyond the fact that it is the first visit since the new government took office – this is an important time for the Cyprus problem. I needn’t stress the great support Greece gives us, which it has always given us and continues to give us – political and practical support, particularly with regard to our major national issue.

We had the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus issue, of course, but we also discussed European issues that link our ministries and the two of us, as well as institutional and political EU issues. I think we had a very constructive discussion in a friendly climate. We had an open and free exchange of views, and thus we also agreed on further cooperation and coordination on various issues, particularly within the framework of the European Union.

Ms. Bakoyannis: I would like to thank my friend Marcos for his warm hospitality. I would like to thank him on behalf of the MPs who chair the Greek Foreign and Defense Affairs Committee, who are accompanying me – Mr Varvitsiotis and Ms. Kefalogianni – and everyone on my team here.

It is always very important for us to have the opportunity for in-depth discussion of the major issue facing Greece and Cyprus, which is the joint endeavour of Nicosia and Athens to try to resolve the Cyprus issue.

We have ascertained in common that the road we have to travel to achieve the goal of a unified, stable, peaceful and prosperous European Cyprus is not paved with roses.

At the same time, we have also jointly observed that this cause is a good cause. We believe in it. We are resolved to strive with all our powers for a just, viable and functional solution – to the benefit of all Cypriots.

The strong will of Athens and Nicosia is here. Our crystal-clear positions are well known. The framework of principles is a given and must be respected by all.

Only a bizonal, bicommunal federation can open wide the prospects and provide the necessary impetus for a common, better future on the island.

A future of peace, development and security, without the illegal presence of occupation troops. Without rights of intervention for third parties and outdated guarantee systems.

These are notions and practices that are foreign to – and void of content in – the European reality. In the European family to which a unified Cyprus and all Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will belong when – as is the hope of Athens and Nicosia – a solution is achieved in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the principles and values of the European Union.

Greece is hoping for and pursuing such developments in the intercommunity consultations – within the framework of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees – as to allow for the launching of well-prepared and substantial negotiations. Negotiations that can be successful; that can lead to a result that is acceptable to both communities – to the Cypriot people, who have the final say.

As always, Athens is a firm supporter of the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus, assisting President Christofias and the Cypriot political leadership.

I would like to hope that Ankara, which really does have a very strong say, will substantially encourage the Turkish Cypriot leadership in the right direction; the direction of moderation and a constructive stance.

Domestic developments and political tugs-of-war cannot be used constantly as an alibi for entrenchment in a past of division, suspicion and intransigence that clashes with a common, better future. The sincere support that Greece and Cyprus give to the strategic perspective of Turkey’s accession to the European Union is well known. But it is not a blank cheque.

Journalist: Regarding the issue of guarantees, which is one of the serious questions in the process of resolving the Cyprus issue – and given the Turkish side’s persistence in wanting to maintain its guarantor rights in Cyprus – Is Greece deliberating over what its position will be? Whether there will be – in some possible agreement – renewal of Greece’s guarantor rights …

Ms. Bakoyannis: We haven’t reached that point yet. What we are saying is our position – that a united Cyprus, a European Cyprus, as we dream of it, has no need of outdated rationales concerning guarantors or rights of intervention. That is a Greek position that I expressed very clearly. Beyond that, we will see what happens in the course of the negotiations.

Journalist: What sort of danger lurks in Turkey’s domestic crisis, and how can it be confronted?

Ms. Bakoyannis: First of all, I don’t think that the analysis of Turkey’s domestic difficulties is an analysis that we should carry out between us at this very moment. We are monitoring the developments taking place in Turkey very carefully. Like all of our European colleagues, we are concerned. Beyond that, we are waiting to see what develops. It is our position that no domestic problem should be used as an alibi to stop the substantial effort towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem from moving ahead, and I want to be clear on that point.

Journalist: The day before yesterday, in Slovenia, President Bush urged the 27 to accept Turkey as one of the member states of the EU. A few minutes ago you said it is not a blank cheque …

Ms. Bakoyannis: I want to be clear. Greece believes that Turkey must have the potential – on the condition that it has met all of the EU’s criteria and fulfilled all prerequisites – to become a member of the EU. We believe that the reform effort that Turkey has initiated must continue. Beyond that, criteria are criteria for all candidate countries, and they must be met. So, on those conditions, Greece’s support is firm support for Turkey’s European perspective. When I say this is not a blank cheque, I mean precisely this: that it presupposes the European adaptation of Turkey itself. That is, it is conditional on European thinking – on the acquis communautaire’s being adopted by Turkey. For example, it is conditional on the Ankara Protocol’s having been implemented. And I’m just giving one example of many.

Journalist: The position held by some that Turkey will be guided toward a special status – a special relationship with the EU – seems to be gaining ground. What will happen if Turkey ends up going in that direction?

Ms. Bakoyannis: First of all, that is not currently the case. There are various opinions within the European Union. You’re right. President Sarkozy has submitted his. Chancellor Merkel, hers. There are many. Right now, there is a decision, which is a decision of the 27. And we are moving based on that. And this decision precisely sets out the criteria and prerequisites. And as you know, the 27 have decided to freeze 8 chapters, and these 8 chapters have been frozen precisely because Turkey has not implemented the Ankara Protocol. That is how the situation stands right now in the EU.

I think a discussion of what will happen if the EU changes its mind is very premature. But I do want to say something else. Turkey’s European perspective is not the only source of pressure for resolution of the Cyprus problem. There is a genuine need to resolve the Cyprus problem. There is the sense throughout the international community that this problem – which is over 30 years old – must be resolved; and that a just, viable and functional solution must be found for the Cyprus issue. So I believe that Cyprus – together with Greece in this battle – has many, many supporters throughout the international community and, of course, in the EU.