Athens, 9 November 2007

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. I have few a short announcements to make.

On Wednesday, 14 November, at 18:00, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will speak in Paris at an event being organized by the French Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Mr. Barnier, with the participation of 40 MPs and senators of the governing UMP party. The subject of the discussion will be: "Europe-Mediterranean: prospects, challenges and opportunities". Ms. Bakoyannis will be the keynote speaker.

On the same day, at 20:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will attend a working dinner to be held in her honour by French Foreign Minister Mr. Kouchner. All international issues of mutual interest will be discussed at this meeting.

More specifically: developments in the Balkans with emphasis on Kosovo; developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina; the FYROM name issue; broader developments in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East; and of course the course of the European Union ahead of the upcoming Summit Meeting, including, of course, Turkey's European course. The Cyprus issue will also be discussed, as will the issue of promoting European cooperation on the confronting of natural disasters.

The Foreign Minister will return to Athens the following day, 15 November, and will host a luncheon for the ambassadors of Arab states to Athens. The Main subject of discussion will be developments in the broader region of the southeastern Mediterranean, with emphasis on developments in the middle East ahead of the international Conference that, as you know, is being prepared on the Middle East issue.

The programme of Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis:

Mr. Valinakis will make a welcoming speech at the annual conference of the International Center for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS). This year's event is entitled "The European Union and the Wider Black Sea Area".

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

Journalist: I would like to ask whether you have anything to tell us regarding the US request concerning the bank. Where things stand, whether it will move ahead, whether it will be brought to a close.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding this particular issue, the US Embassy followed the normal diplomatic procedure. That is, the Foreign Ministry was informed and beyond that the issue is being handled, as far as I know – and following notification of the Foreign Ministry, which is not responsible for handling this issue – by the competent Ministry and the competent independent authority on this issue.

What is clear is that the interest of the US is not concerned or is not focused, on Greece. This is a general policy that the US is discussing with all of its allies and partners, and this is within the framework of a general policy that they have. For anything else, I think you can address your questions to the US Embassy.

Journalist: How does the possibility of postponing the procedure for Skopje's accession to NATO impact the negotiation process, and whether this creates a new state of affairs in this regard. That is, if there is not a strong incentive on the part of Skopje, do you believe this postponement creates a new state of affairs?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: At this time we are at the stage of assessing the candidacies. Each candidacy, as you know – and because this is the approach that NATO has decided on – is judged on its own. It is not a package of three candidate countries with the three being judged as a whole. Each candidate is evaluated by the competent NATO organs, based on the progress that each individual  country has made thus far.

So given that we are at this stage in the process, I don't think anyone should jump to conclusions about one result or another. Specifically with regard to FYROM, it should be noted that if the evaluation shows that there are shortfalls with regard to a number of criteria, among which is good neighbourly relations, of course, there will be a corresponding impact on whether or not the country is invited to accede to NATO.

At the same time, the negotiation process is in progress within the framework of the United Nations.

There is no official or formal link between the two developments. Of course, what Greece has stated clearly – and I think it is a perfectly reasonable position –  is that as long as a pending issue of this kind exists and kept open, an issue that has negative effects, in fact, on good neighbourly relations, relations of solidarity or alliance cannot be built on this basis.

As long as such an issue remains unresolved – and this is what reason and international practice says – it is obvious that there cannot be allied relations. It is a serious and major outstanding issue. I remind you here that in the past, in recent NATO enlargements, the same reasoning was followed on issues concerning good neighbourly relations, whether between candidate countries and other countries that were already members, or between candidate countries and other third countries outside the Alliance. Issues had to be resolved for the accession process to move ahead.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, I have two questions. The first is whether a date has been decided on for Mr. Nimetz's arrival in Athens, and second I would like a comment regarding the announcement issued yesterday evening by the Skopje Foreign Ministry regarding the statements made by Anthimos this past Sunday.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: A specific arrival time for the UN Secretary General's personal envoy, Mr. Nimetz, has not been determined. It will be determined via diplomatic channels. Mr. Nimetz himself is in communication with the Greek side to determine a precise date.

I spoke in New York – and the Foreign Minister spoke yesterday, in fact – of a time horizon of weeks. When we say "a time horizon of weeks" we are not talking about next week.

Regarding your second question – the announcement from Skopje's Foreign Ministry – I'm afraid it didn’t follow developments here in this country. Because on Wednesday there was a relevant stance from the Foreign Minister, that is, one day before the statement from the Skopje Foreign Ministry, and yesterday as well there was a detailed reference and discussion on the issue during the discussion on foreign policy issues in the competent Committee of the Hellenic Parliament.

I think the positions expressed are well known to both the Foreign Minister as well as to representatives of the other political parties, so I have nothing to add to this. Moreover, I think it's obvious and self-evident that the positions and views and actions of each elected and responsible government voice the country’s stance and are an international commitment on the part of the country.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, in the announcement from the European Commission, in the chapter on Greek-Turkish relations, mention was made for the first time of the documented violations by Turkey in the Aegean, of the Patriarchate and in general its [the European Commission’s] attitude towards Turkey with regard to the non-implementation of the Protocol. Do you have a comment on this announcement? I repeat, this is the first time we've had something like this.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Allow me to make a small correction, Mr. Kapoutsis. The reference to Turkey’s action and the issue of the casus belli, because it bears indirectly on this, is not the first. But it was the first time that it was set down so clearly, and here I agree with you completely.

The Commission, closely monitoring developments at an important and critical time in Turkish politics, was a very careful observer and noted everything it saw.

You are aware of the Foreign Ministry's stance on this report, and we hope that in the coming time, that is, within the next 12 months, until the next report, that the necessary actions and decisions will be taken, that the necessary reforms and changes in the international conduct and stance of the country will be made, so that next year the Commission will not report what it reported this year.

Journalist: I wanted to ask whether there are any indications that Skopje is willing to take steps of progress so that Mr. Nimetz's new effort can bear fruit.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece is fully and clearly committed to a constructive stance of responsibility on the negotiation process, the new effort, this new stage in the effort, which began about 10 days ago.

In this negotiation process, in this new effort being made by Mr. Nimetz, Greece is coming to the table, first of all, with good will and in a constructive spirit so that a mutually acceptable solution can be found.

It is coming to the negotiations with the resolve lent to it by the soundness of its policy and its arguments.

This is the Greek position. Beyond that, Greece has not commented and will not comment on how the Skopje government handles the negotiation process, how it confronts it substantially or on the level of public statements, because we believe that what is most important now is absolute respect for the terms and the framework that the negotiator has determined for these negotiations.

So we will not make any comment. We will not be tempted – directly or indirectly – into making public statements or creating a sensation with regard to the negotiation process. And as your request for a comment on whether the neighboring government's intention is positive or negative indirectly bears on the negotiations, I will not comment on that either.

Because what is most important is that we confront the negotiation process responsibly and with seriousness, because we believe that if we respect the framework of necessary confidentiality at this stage of the negotiations, we can help these negotiations to produce a solution, which is what Greece, at least, wants.

Journalist: I would like to ask a question regarding the previous question on a possible postponement of Skopje's invitation to accede to NATO. I assume that you've seen the statements made by the US representative in Skopje yesterday. I would like first of all to ask for your comment on this, and to what extent you think it can presage a stance from the American side on the course towards this coming April. Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We are reading and monitoring and evaluating all of the statements and positions very carefully with regard to this issue at this time, precisely because we believe that now we have an opportunity, there is now potential.

So regarding the particular statements from the US permanent representative to NATO regarding criteria, and that good neighbourly relations are a criterion. I must tell you that it is a clear statement. I think it is a statement that, in repeating the obvious, helps to make the framework clearer.

But it also repeats the obvious – what has always been the case and is the case when we are talking about accession procedures in an alliance. I stress this. It is not just an intergovernmental organisation – it is an alliance. In order to function, allied relations require at the very least that no pending issues of this kind exist; that is, they require good neighbourly relations.

One can liken alliances to a chain. If you add a link to the chain and that link is weak, you don’t make the chain stronger, you make it weaker. The same is the case with alliances. It is not adding members that makes an alliance stronger, but the adding of members based on solid foundations.

Journalist: Last Monday, there was a letter to special mediator Mr. Nimetz from the so-called Macedonian Minority Party in Greece, raising the issue of the existence of a Macedonian minority in Greece, talking about the destabilising policy of Greece in the Balkans and asking for the international community to intervene with sanctions on Greece due to the manner in which it is acting in the region. Was there a Greek reaction to this letter? And how do such moves impact the process?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I do not intend to comment on the contents, particularly given that what is stated in the letter does not correspond to the reality of the situation.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, Skopje’s Foreign Minister stated that the name issue will have no influence whatsoever on Greek-Skopje relations in the future.

How reliable are these promises from Mr. Milososki when we have recently had disturbances in Skopje between Albanians and government organs such as the Skopje police on the issue of the non-implementation of the Ohrid agreement that was signed in 2001?

That is, all of these promises fell into a void, while on the name issue, that is, how is this promise reliable – that we won’t have disturbances in the future and they won’t tamper with border changes, let’s say?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Listen, the inviolability of borders is a firm principle of Greek policy. And it is a firm point of reference and principle of Greek foreign policy, because Greece – first of all – is obliged in this regard as a member of the international community that fully respects international legality and international law, and second, it is in the interest of the country and of the whole region.

Moreover, this must be the pursuit of all states. The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle that allows for the smooth functioning of international relations and inter-state relations in the international environment.

You referred to certain events of recent days within our neighbouring country. Much has been written: who they were precisely, it was mentioned that it had to do with the actions of criminals, etc. I will not go into that. I will not make any comment on this.

What is important is for there to be full and substantial implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. As you know, this is a firm European position.

Journalist: I would like the Ministry’s opinion regarding the statement of Anthimos regarding border changes and whether this speaks for some portion of the political forces in Greece. And second, we see at the same time that there are irredentist intentions, Skopje is following an irredentist policy with maps and leaflets on a greater Macedonia. How can a climate of trust be created in the short time during which we will have negotiations, when we have this stance from the leadership in Skopje?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think I have already answered the first part of your question. I hope what I have already said covers it.

As for the principle of the inviolability of borders, I just had the opportunity to tell you that for us respect for this principle is in the interest of Greece and the region, of stability and peace.

With regard to our neighbouring country’s actions based on irredentist thinking, we have referred to these repeatedly. Our positions are well known. We believe that actions – actions or positions – inspired by or based on irredentist thinking are very counterproductive.

These are things that have been taken into account by the Greek position, the Greek negotiating position.

Journalist: I would like to ask a question about the Cyprus issue of course, whether there are developments with regard to the talks between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots, between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Whether, that is, there are new developments, because we hear that it is expected that certain specific chapters in the discussions will move forward. Whether you have anything on that.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Excuse me, do you mean chapters in the discussion between the two sides or European course chapters?

Journalist: No, with regard to Turkey’s European course: We are talking based on…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The 8 July Agreement?

Journalist: Precisely, yes.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Unfortunately, I have no recent information on any upcoming substantial activity, with an impact, that is, on the implementation course. I have no such information. If there is anything that has escaped my attention, I will cross-check it and come back on that, but I have no information.

Taking the opportunity of your question, what is certain is that – just like the government of the Republic of Cyprus – Greece supports and absolutely believes that we must proceed to implement this agreement as soon as possible, because this is an agreement, which – through its implementation – can prepare the ground in a substantial and swift manner in order for the solution-finding process to be able to lead to – to have – a successful outcome. Beyond that, I have nothing further to say. Let me remind you that this is the position of the United Nations.

Journalist: The UN deadline for reaching a political settlement on Kosovo expires in precisely one month. This issue was at the top of the Minister’s agenda during her latest talks, or rather in her recent talks with her counterparts. The Minister spoke of the need for a common stance on the part of the European Union.

How easy is it to achieve this in such a short period of time? Whether this stance will be convergent with Washington’s, and is Greece expected to take certain initiatives, to make new contacts on this issue precisely?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the last point. Greece – we think and believe – knows the region well. Greece knows its sensitivities, weaknesses, and abilities. We are addressing the truly serious issue of Kosovo based on our knowledge of the region.

We have talks with all the parties, encouraging them to deal with the ongoing process in a constructive manner. We are doing this because the region, particularly this region of Europe, needs solutions that can stand the test of time. Because if there are solutions that do not stand the test of time, problems resurface and take on new dynamics. In order for solutions to stand the test of time, they have to be based on at least minimum acceptance on the part of the parties involved in each issue.

We believe that this is particularly true on this particular issue. As you spoke of initiatives. There is a continuing effort to encourage the parties to exhaust all possibilities, their good will, their constructive stance, in order to reach a solution, which possibly, at first glance, will not satisfy either of the two parties, but will be able to allow them to coexist peacefully and constructively in the region.

This is also our position within the European Union. We do not believe in the humiliation of one or the other party. One party fully asserting itself over the other has never in history, and particularly in the Balkans, contributed to long-term stability, which is what Greece wants.

Beyond that, it is certain that the Kosovo issue is a European issue. Europe has a strong say in, and is of fundamental importance to, the region. This is precisely why it should address the issue based on a single position. Greece will work to this end, in order for the Kosovo issue not to become a pretext for creating a sense of, or a reality of, not having a single European stance.

The demand for a single stance is becoming even more critical, given that Europe was able to take the first steps forward after two years of introversion by recently reaching agreement on the Reform Treaty.

A new effort is now being launched for Europe to regain its dynamism, to look to the future with optimism. Therefore, at this crucial stage, a situation which does not allow for a single European stance would be a negative development with corresponding consequences.

Journalist: What will Greece do if, after 10th December, Kosovo moves ahead with independence?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is a hypothesis regarding the outcome of a negotiating process. Greece – consistent with its position that it fully supports efforts to find a solution as I described it – does not take positions on hypothetical situations, much less on the supposed failure of the ongoing process.

Journalist: Has Ms. Bakoyannis asked or will she ask to be briefed by Mr. Alavanos on his talks with almost the entire political leadership of Skopje?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I do not know if there has been an official communication. I know that on the margins of yesterday’s proceedings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs, they had a very brief one-to-one meeting, which did not of course cover the substance of Mr. Alavanos’ visit.

Journalist: Based on everything you told us regarding Skopje, their stance, etc., should we take it that Greece clearly believes that the talks are in a deadlock at the moment, and the possibility of changing negotiators is still under examination, and it might lead to something? What is plan B? Is it to postpone accession?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you have seen, I very consciously avoided touching upon issues that relate to the negotiations even indirectly. I simply repeated – in answer to your colleagues’ questions – Greece’s predisposition and based on which views Greece is coming to this process.

No one spoke of a deadlock. Besides, all this will be discussed, at least by the Greek side, when Mr. Nimetz comes to Athens.

Greece is fully part of the ongoing negotiating process. I cannot foretell what the next steps will be.

Journalist: Is the dynamic following the first meeting gone? Are these developments leading in fact to things getting bogged down?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no such impression. At least with regard to Greece.

To us the process is in full swing. Besides, as you have heard and as we said today, Mr. Nimetz’s visit to Athens is expected to be scheduled in the next few weeks. I don’t know what will happen and when he will visit the neighbouring country’s capital, but that is not my concern at the moment.

Journalist: This is how Greece sees things, but has the existing dynamic in fact been lost following the intransigent statements?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have that sense at all. Greece doesn’t see this as being the case, and I will not say anything further on that, as it could be indirectly considered a comment on the negotiating process. We will persist with this responsible and serious stances vis-a-vis the process.

Thank you very much.