Athens, 13 July 2006
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning.
You are aware of the developments we have had in the security environment on the border between Lebanon and Israel. I want to make a statement regarding this on behalf of the Foreign Ministry:
“The dramatic developments and deterioration of the security situation on the Israel-Lebanon border foreshadow the possibility of further escalation and suffering. If this situation is not brought under control immediately, it may lead to a general flare-up in the region of the Middle East.
For this reason, Greece expresses its great anxiety and intense concern.
It is of absolute necessity – if the worst is to be averted – that Hezbollah proceed to the immediate release of the apprehended Israeli soldiers.
At the same time, Greece calls on the Israeli government not to use excessive and inessential force, which will not serve to resolve the problem.
All of the involved parties and all of the countries in the region must maintain their composure and exercise self-restraint and responsibility in these difficult and critical hours.”
As there is understandable concern on the part of our citizens as well regarding the security situation there, I want to give you some information.
On instructions from Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis, the Ministry mechanism is on alert. The Central Service is in constant contact with our accredited Embassies in the countries of the region. In particular regarding our Embassy in Beirut, I would like to tell you that communication is not always simple and easy. It is difficult, but we have re-established contact.
This mechanism includes the Crisis Management Committee, which deals mainly with crises of a consular or humanitarian nature, and is activated whenever deemed necessary. This Committee, which is made up of the Ministry’s Secretary General, the head of the Information Department and other service officials according to their competencies, is part of the Ministry’s mechanism for closely monitoring the situation.
Within the framework of this Committee, an initial exchange of views has already taken place regarding the situation in the region. As I said earlier, we have already re-established contact with our Embassy in Beirut, and I can give you a basic outline of the information that we have.
Please understand that the situation is confused and difficult, so there is an element of uncertainty with regard to the information I will refer to.
The Beirut airport has been bombarded and is closed. Moreover, according to the information we have at this time – and I stress the difficulty in obtaining complete and confirmed information, due to the confused situation – I want to tell you that the bridges over the Litani river, which separates the northern and southern sections of Lebanon, appear to have been bombarded, so the country appears to have been cut in two. Also, the Hezbollah station in southern Lebanon appears to have been almost totally destroyed.
Regarding the UN, Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Guehenno carried out an emergency briefing of the Security Council in closed consultations. Of course, the UN Secretariat is in constant communication with the parties, in order to play its role in accordance with the UN Charter.
With regard to Lebanon’s communication with the outside world, at this time it is being carried out through Syria, Damascus, and, secondarily, via Jordan.
Finally, let me add that at 11:30 the heads of the EU Embassies accredited to Beirut are to meet to assess the situation and coordinate their actions.
We are communicating with the Charge d’ Affaires at our Embassy there.
Regarding the programme of Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis, on Monday, 17 July, our country will be visited by the Indian candidate for the position of UN Secretary General. The meeting with the Foreign Minister is expected to take place at 18:00.
On Wednesday, July 19, at 12:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with the President of the Cypriot political party Democratic Rally, Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis.
On Thursday, 20 July, the Foreign Minster will conduct a working visit to London, for talks with her UK counterpart. Ms. Bakoyannis will depart from London on 19 July.
On Wednesday, 26 July, a luncheon will be held in the Foreign Minister’s honour by the Ambassadors of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Our country will be represented at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) of 17 July by Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mr. Yannis Valinakis. On the margins of the GAERC, Mr. Valinakis will host a working breakfast for the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Malta and the Deputy Foreign Ministers for European Affairs of Portugal, Spain, France and Italy – that is, for the Mediterranean member states of the EU – to discuss issues of mutual interest.
I will give you an outline of the GAERC agenda. In the General Affairs section, I remind you that it is the first GAERC under the Finnish Presidency, so in the General Affairs section we will have the presentation of the Presidency’s priorities.
There will also be a discussion of the migration issue. With regard to the External Relations section, there will be a discussion of developments in the World Trade Organization, and the issue of the Union’s external relations and the economic tools at the Union’s disposal in the service of external relations will be examined. Also to be discussed are Sudan, developments in the Republic of the Congo and relations with the Western Balkans.
At the Foreign Ministers’ luncheon, there is to be a discussion of Middle East issues, Iran and Iraq. That’s all I have for now. I wanted to tell you that on the margins of the GAERC proceedings there is to be a meeting between the Troika and a delegation from Bosnia-Herzegovina. This will be followed by a press conference and a Troika-Serbia working luncheon. This will also be followed by a press briefing.
As regards the activities of the Deputy Foreign Ministers, at 12:30 today, Mr. Valinakis, again, will brief the Parliamentary European Affairs Committee on the priorities of the Finnish Presidency.
Tomorrow, Friday, at 17:15, he will have talks at the Foreign Ministry with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mr. Bryza, who is on a working visit to our country. On Monday, as I said, Mr. Valinakis will be in Brussels. On Wednesday and Thursday, 19 and 20 July, he will accompany the Foreign Minister to her meetings in London with the political leadership of the UK Foreign Office.
Regarding the programme of Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Stylianidis, within the framework of his working visit to Brazil, he will participate tomorrow, Friday, in the opening ceremony of the 6th Environmental Symposium, under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch. This is the 6th Environmental Symposium supported by the Greek Foreign Ministry’s HELLENIC AID.
On Tuesday, 18 July, at 12:00, Mr. Stylianidis will speak at an event in celebration of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Day, which is being organized by the Foreign Ministry and will take place at the Kranidiotis Amphitheatre.
On Wednesday, 19 July, Mr. Stylianidis will participate in the National Exports Council at the Finance Ministry.
With regard to the activities of the Security Council, I want to point out two things in particular. On the morning of 13 July, Serbian Prime Minister Mr. Kostunica will brief the Security Council in a private meeting on the Serbian positions on the Kosovo issue. This will be followed by closed consultations during which Mr. Ahtisaari will present the progress of the status negotiations, and the Security Council member states will express relevant views and positions.
Kosovo President Mr. Sejdiu is to present Albanian-Kosovar views on Thursday afternoon – today, that is – in an informal meeting. That’s what I have to say regarding Kosovo. You will also be given the usual information handout regarding the Security Council’s activities.
Included in this handout is the information I gave you regarding the emergency meeting of the Security Council, in closed consultations, on the developments in Lebanon.
Journalist: Will Mr. Bryza see only Mr. Valinakis?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: And Ministry officials.
Journalist: Can you give us an outline of the agenda for the talks?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: They will cover issues of mutual interest, including issues of energy cooperation, energy issues, but also, of course, developments in a series of issue of special interest to our country, including regional issues, Turkey’s European course, the Cyprus issue, etc.
Journalist: I heard the announcement you made regarding the Middle East issue. It calls for self-restraint and all the rest. I want to ask something: as the Arab world and the Middle East have always been at the epicentre of Greek interests, and we have traditional ties down there, is the country, the government, the Foreign Ministry considering undertaking some initiative in this direction to help resolve the crisis? Is the Greek side, via the Security Council, thinking of requesting something more – raising the issue on the level of the Security Council?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Starting with your last question, as I already mentioned to you, the Security Council has begun a discussion for the assessment of the situation in closed consultations that have already been held. So the Security Council mechanism is in motion.
On Monday – in the coming days, that is – the GAERC, the EU Foreign Ministers, will discuss this. The Middle East is already slated for discussion during the luncheon. But I assume that the agenda in general will be altered to include this issue.
So Greece will express its views there, and, of course, will take into consideration the views of its partners in the EU. What I can tell you is that up until now there has not been a convergence of views within the framework of the European Union in the Political and Security Committee. So far there have been consultations without a coincidence of views being reached.
This discussion will continue in the coming days leading up to the GAERC on Monday.
Journalist: I wanted to ask whether the Foreign Ministry has communicated with the governments of Arab countries or with Lebanon regarding this issue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Not yet, as far as I know.
Journalist: I wanted to ask this: For two months now, the Israeli government has been retaliating against non-combatants, with hundreds of dead, the destruction of infrastructure, and using all the methods used in a corresponding instance by the Nazi occupation forces in Europe and our country, which you represent.
Now it has invaded and bombarded another country. Don’t you think that there should be a stronger condemnation from Greece? And what precisely do you mean when you say excessive use of force? What is excessive, and what is reasonable use of force? Because I don’t understand.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We have the precedent of the reaction of the Israeli army to the issue of the condemnable and unacceptable abduction of an Israeli soldier by an extremist organization.
Having condemned this abduction, we made it absolutely clear – and this has been recorded in a statement that I made at the time – that we noted and condemned with the same intensity Israel’s use of force disproportionate to the condemned abduction. And we called on the parties to exercise self-restraint so that we might not have unpleasant developments and a further escalation of the very bad situation that has plagued the region for years.
But your question gives me the opportunity to stress that the Greek side, the Greek government, has throughout the discussions that have taken place, particularly following the election of Hamas, maintained a constructive stance on the issue that arose.
We stressed at that time, of course, that a political dialogue with political structures that have not renounced the use of force cannot move ahead. But the issue of sanctions on Palestinian funding was raised. On this issue, Greece, and the Foreign Minister – expressing particular and consistent sensitivity – was among the EU member states that stressed the need for the EU side to avoid such actions that might exacerbate the already very difficult economic situation of the Palestinian people.
The humanitarian aspect was stressed in particular, and, in fact, it was clearly stated by the Foreign Minister that schools being unable to operate or there not being medical care for suffering people, suffering Palestinians, creates conditions that render the Palestinians susceptible to extremist messages and extremist political stances.
So such a negative environment as regards the humanitarian dimension is not an environment that reinforces the conditions of security in the region – precisely because it can give rise to or strengthen extremist reactions.
We consistently supported the efforts of the Austrian Presidency to seek a funding mechanism that would circumvent the obstacle of Hamas, but would ensure a flow of economic assistance to the Palestinians.
And, in fact, it was agreed upon, with the active role of Greece, that the EU should have an economic mechanism. But on a bilateral level, as well, Greece has a programme of bilateral support, either through NGOs or other funding, that amounts to – if I am not mistaken – about 1 million euros.
So I think that the data I have given you adequately describes the Greek stance and how Greece is confronting these unpleasant developments. There are announcements that we have made from time to time, and one needn’t stress how anxious and concerned Greece is, as a country of the wider region, regarding these developments in the region of the Middle East.
Journalist: Continuing from the previous question, has there been communication with the Israeli government?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As far as I know, no.
Journalist: So what anxiety are we talking about? When you haven’t communicated with the Arabs, you haven’t communicated with Israel, and there is a war, how do you explain Greece’s interest?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As I said, we are moving within the framework of the Security Council and the European Union.
There is no telling what might happen in the coming hours or the coming days, given that the situation is developing at this time and is extremely fluid.
Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, you said that this issue is being discussed in the EU’s Political and Security Committee, and that so far we have not had a coincidence of views.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The information I have from Brussels is that at this time the discussion is continuing because a coincidence of views has not been achieved.
Journalist: My question is what the differing views are and what view Greece supports.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I gave you a general briefing. At this time I cannot go into the substance of a discussion and of negotiations that are in progress within the framework of the European Union, because these talks are confidential. I can’t do that.
Journalist: (off microphone) Can you perhaps define “disproportionate”? What does disproportionate mean?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that’s clear. Disproportionate or excessive is clear. When we are talking on the one hand about an abduction, and on the other of military operations – large-scale operations.
Journalist: Following the trips by the head of the main opposition party and the Chairman of the Socialist International to the region and to Jerusalem and now to Syria, was there communication and a briefing from the President of PASOK to the Foreign Ministry on the situation there?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have not been informed of any initiative on the part of the head of the main opposition party regarding the briefing of the leadership of the Foreign Ministry on the results and conclusions from his visits to the region.
Journalist: On another issue. You haven’t mentioned the visit of Mr. Sarkozy next week – 20-23 July. And I want to know whether Ms. Bakoyannis will go with him to Thessaloniki on Friday morning and what the programme is.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The meetings he will have are being arranged. I can tell you that it appears from the programme that, beyond the meeting with the Foreign Minister, there will be a meeting with the Prime Minister, but this has not yet been finalised.
Journalist: (off microphone)
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have that information – it is a working visit, and a private one.
Journalist: I wanted to ask, following Mr. Papadopoulos’s visit to Athens, whether the Foreign Ministry sees a coincidence of views between Athens and Nicosia regarding the handling of Euro-Turkish issues. Turkey’s European course.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing to add to or detract from the exceedingly clear statements of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Prime Minister immediately following their meeting.
Journalist: Does Greece support Cyprus’s right to exercise a veto on the next chapter in Euro-Turkish negotiations if Turkey does not fulfil its commitments to Europe? With Cyprus’s right to use it, if necessary?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding a possible exercising of a veto, a specific question was addressed to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, and he answered it. I will not interpret the answers of the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Journalist: I’m asking something else: whether Greece supports Cyprus’s right to use it, if necessary. I know Cyprus’s position. I’m asking about ours.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We have said repeatedly that effective policies within the framework of the European Union are policies that are persuasive. That is the primary objective of every policy.
Beyond that, procedures are procedures. This option for member states is provided for and exists within the procedures of the European Union, which, as you know, are ultimately aimed at creating consensus for decision-making.
Journalist: And on another subject, if I may. Does the Greek Foreign Ministry know whether Mr. Alex Rondos is an advisor to the Serbian government on the Kosovo issue? And if this is the case, whether there is any collaboration between the Ministry and Mr. Rondos on the Kosovo issue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing on that.
Journalist: There are various government sources mentioned in newspaper articles, anonymously, that support that Greece and Cyprus are two separate states with separate interests. Do you share this view? Does the government share this view or does it consider Greek and Cypriot interests to coincide?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Whether I agree with the view that they are two separate states?
Journalist: They are obviously two separate states. Whether they are two separate states with different interests, as is stated almost daily in major newspapers citing government sources.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What is attributed by the press to unspecified sources is a matter for the press. I will not comment on information without a clear source.
Beyond that, it has been stressed at every opportunity that there is a full convergence of views on the strategic objective. Within the framework of this convergence, cooperation and communication is complete and constant. And this was a clear result of the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to Athens.
Journalist: A final question. The most recent Euro-barometer has 80% of Greeks against Turkey’s accession to the European Union. Does your policy take this fact into account?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The views of public opinion, as measured by the various surveys, are always an element within the broader political framework and the broader political atmosphere. That is a given.
At the same time, however, I must tell you that the policy that has been set by the Greek government – that is, support for the perspective of Turkey’s European adaptation through a system of complying with conditions and prerequisites – has enjoyed multi-party support, at least from the two large parties on Greece’s political scene.
Beyond that, the process of Turkey’s European adaptation has begun in essence through the accession negotiations in recent months.
This process will be long. It always leads to changes in the candidate countries; the countries in the midst of this process of adaptation. I believe that we should assess this course then, as well. Greek public opinion will also have the opportunity to evaluate it.
But right now we are at the outset – at the starting point of this long course of Turkey’s European adaptation. At this time we can predict neither the final outcome of this course nor the reactions of Greek public opinion at that time.
Thank you very much.