Athens, 14 March 2007
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning.
Tomorrow, 15 March 2007, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will participate in the bilateral talks between Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Mr. Karamanlis at 10:00, at the Maximos Mansion. She will also participate in the bilateral meeting the Prime Minister will have earlier, at 09:00, with his Bulgarian counterpart.
As you know, these meetings will be followed by the signing procedure, and in parallel with the meeting of the President of the Republic, Mr. Papoulias, with Mr. Putin, the Foreign Minister will meet with her Russian counterpart, Mr. Lavrov, at 12:00 tomorrow, at the Presidential Mansion.
Let me add here that today, Wednesday, 14 March, Ms. Bakoyannis will participate in the dinner Prime Minister Mr. Karamanlis is hosting in honour of the Russian President and the Bulgarian Prime Minister.
At 13:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mr. Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani, who is on an official visit to our country.
The main issues on the agenda will include Greek-Qatari bilateral political and economic relations, regional issues of mutual interest – with emphasis on the Middle East, of course – as well as relations between the European Union and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).
Scheduled to take place following the talks is the signing of a framework agreement on economic, industrial and technical cooperation. This agreement will be the legal basis for setting up a Joint Interministerial Committee that will cover the corresponding sectors – that is, issues of economic, industrial and technical cooperation between the two countries.
Statements to representatives of the news media will follow, and then the Foreign Minister will host a working luncheon in honour of her guest.
On Sunday, 18 March, Ms. Bakoyannis will depart for Rome, where, on 19 March, she will conduct an official visit to Italy. Within the framework of this visit, she will meet with her Italian counterpart, Mr. D’Alema. She will also meet with Italian President Mr. Napolitano and other members of Italy’s political leadership.
The agenda for the talks concerns bilateral issues, of course – bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest, mainly as regards developments in Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.
On completing her official visit to Italy, the Foreign Minister will depart, on 19 March, for New York, where she is to have a meeting, a working dinner, with UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, on Tuesday, 20 March. She will then continue on the Washington for a series of meetings with US government officials.
She will meet with her US counterpart, Ms. Rice, on Thursday morning – 22 March – and will also meet with Senate Minority Leader Mr. Mitch McConnell; Speaker of the House of Representatives Ms. Nancy Pelosi, who will host a luncheon in honour of Ms. Bakoyannis; and National Security Advisor Mr. Stephen Hadley. Ms. Bakoyannis will also attend a dinner to be hosted in her honour by Homeland Security Advisor Ms. Fran Townsend.
Finally, as you know, on 23 March the annual White House event marking Greek National Independence Day will take place. At this point I would just like to add – to complete the picture – that this year will be the first time that – beyond the resolution adopted each year by the US Senate and the corresponding presidential declaration – this text is also being adopted, for the first time, by the US House of Representatives.
Regarding the programmes of the Deputy Foreign Ministers, on Wednesday and Thursday, 14 and 15 March, Mr. Valinakis will represent our country at the proceedings of the Ministerial Meeting of the European Union and the countries of Southeast Asia, which will take place in Nuremburg, Germany. This is the 16th Ministerial Meeting, an this year’s meeting coincides with the 30th anniversary of cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Southeast Asia.
Regarding Mr. Stylianidis’ programme, at our last meeting we announced the 2nd Meeting of the Greek-Azerbaijani Joint Interministerial Meeting on economic and technological cooperation, which was to take place tomorrow, but which has been postponed.
On Friday, 16 March, at 10:00, Mr. Stylianidis will participate with Development Minister Mr. Sioufas, Deputy Finance Minister Mr. Doukas and the Chairman of the Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE), Mr. Simeonoglou, in a meeting with Qatar’s First Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani.
On Monday, 19 March, Mr. Stylianidis will be in Rabat, Morocco, for a Greek-Moroccan Mixed Interministerial Committee on Economic and Technological Cooperation. The delegation will be accompanied by representatives of major institutional agencies.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis will visit Jordan from 18 to 21 March, for meetings with officials competent on religious tourism and development projects being carried out by YDAS, in collaboration with the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Mr. Kassimis will also attend the opening of our new Embassy in Amman.
During his visit he will meet with Jordanian Foreign Minister Mr. Al-Khatib, the Chairman of the Committee of the Jordanian Monarch, the King’s advisor on religious affairs, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and other Jordanian officials.
Your questions, please.
Mr. Santamouris: Whether there is anything to announce – as we didn’t make it – from the Minister’s meeting with Mr. Alogoskoufis, and what was discussed at the meeting. And a second question: Whether the Minister, during her visit to the US, has set and agenda – or is it open due to the nature of the visit? Thank you.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding today’s meeting with Finance Minister Mr. Alogoskoufis, the discussion focussed exclusively on financial aspects of the new Organisation of the Ministry. There was complete agreement. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the new Organisation of the Ministry is heading for Parliament, where the parliamentary approval process provided for will begin.
Regarding your second question, the issues to be addressed at the meeting with Ms. Rice. In general terms, they are to discuss issues concerning bilateral relations and broader issues of mutual interest, such as developments in the broader region: the Balkans, the Middle East. And, of course, they will discuss issues of particular Greek interest, which will be raised by the Foreign Minister.
A further clarification: Obviously, Greece’s participation in the visa waiver programme will have an important place among the issues of bilateral interest.
The meeting with the UN Secretary General – the working luncheon to take place on Tuesday, in New York – will cover issues concerning developments in the region, with emphasis, as is to be expected, on the Balkans, and more specifically the Kosovo issue, the Middle East, and issues of particular interest to Greece: the course of the FYROM name issue and developments on the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Bourdaras: Two questions. The first concerns the postponement of the JIC meeting with Azerbaijan, which you mentioned. Whether this has anything to do with Azerbaijan’s stance on the self-styled “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. Could you also deny or confirm that there was, on a diplomatic level, disagreement between Athens and Baku regarding the presence there of Mr. Talat, at an international meeting, as the “president of a state”?
And my second question concerns the Top Story on the Ministry webpage and the announcement you issued on Friday regarding Greece’s participation in the international cooperation on confronting nuclear terrorism. Whether you can give us any further details regarding what this cooperation involves, what it will involve for Greece, and through what mechanism.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the postponement of the JIC meeting, I confess that I don’t know the precise reasons. I’ll have to find out and get back to you.
Regarding the issue of the visit or reception of Mr. Talat, and the manner in which this occurs in specific countries, this is an issue that from time to time, as you know, has concerned first and foremost the Cypriot government, and, of course the Greek government. For us, as you know, and for the international community, there is one internationally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mr. Talat is the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, and in that capacity, of course, he may carry out the international activities he deems appropriate. This must be respected by all states because it is dictated by international legality.
Regarding the second issue you raised, I think that the article on the Foreign Ministry’s website contains all the information you requested. Greece, as the note on our website says, accepted the invitation to participate in this initiative – an invitation we received mainly on the basis of our specialised know-how and the overall infrastructure we gained during preparations for the Athens Olympics to deal with such phenomena. Greece accepted the invitation and countersigned the declaration of principles adopted some months ago in Rabat. There nothing new or more specific on that.
*The Meeting of the Greek-Azerbaijani Joint Interministerial Committee on Economic and Technological Cooperation was postponed for technical reasons and a new date is being set.
Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, I would like to ask since when it is the EU’s position to no longer be dependent on natural gas from Gazprom within the next ten years. And whether the fact that this was stated at the Foreign Ministry and no reply was given by a competent Foreign Ministry official means that there is indeed such a position on the part of the EU. That was my first question. And the second question: a few days ago, Mr. Kassimis stated in an interview that the visa waiver issue will be resolved within the next few weeks. Does this mean that there will be a statement now from Ms. Bakoyannis? Why was this meeting held again? Every time, we meet on the visa waiver issue. Mr. Kassimis said that the issue has been resolved and will soon be announced. What exactly is still left to discuss?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me start with your first question. You are obviously referring to Mr. Bryza’s statement, here at the Ministry, during a Press Conference. It is a statement made by Mr. Bryza.
As you know, the European Union has taken a decision and adopted a strategy on energy issues. A serious and significant element of this strategy is the need to diversify the EU’s energy sources. That is the general principle. The US official’s statement was probably an interpretation of that.
Regarding your question on what the position from the Secretary General for International Economic Cooperation should have been, Mr. Skylakakis was there as a high-ranking official of the Greek Foreign Ministry. He is not a representative of the European Commission or any other EU institution, so he couldn’t intervene and interpret or give the precise content of the European Strategy on energy issues.
With regard to the visa waiver issue, we have repeatedly said that this is an extremely complicated issue. It doesn’t concern the US Department of State alone. Many different US government agencies share competences on this issue, in order for it to be able to move forward.
Real progress is being made. Constant progress is being made. There is constant communication between Greek and US official agencies. But, at the same time it is still an issue that requires continuous monitoring at a high political level. In this sense, the Foreign Minister will discuss this issue with Ms. Townsend.
Regarding the prediction of an immediate result and immediate tangible progress, given the facts, one can surmise that there will be progress. Mr. Kassimis was referring to the existing tendency for progress and improvement on this particular issue. But, as far as the precise time of the progress is concerned, I do not know whether it will be in the next few days or months.
Mr. Pollatos: Was the Greek government informed by Mr. Papadopoulos of the Cypriot government’s intention to demolish the Ledra barricade before the work started?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, it was.
Mr. Gilson: I have a question regarding the Foreign Minister’s two meetings – one with Ms. Rice – as to whether she will mention or discuss the issue of the Turkish stance within NATO on the demilitarization – as it contends – of Agios Efstratios. And secondly, whether she will discuss any ideas on how to push forward the process on the 8 July agreement with the two committees, and any potential actions for re-launching talks on reaching a settlement on the Cyprus issue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: On both these issues, I think that the Greek position is well known. Nothing needs to be added. On many occasions, we repeatedly mentioned it. And on the issue of Agios Efstratios, on which we characterised the Turkish views as contravening international law and international treaties, and thus unacceptable.
In this briefing’s introduction, I mentioned that the Foreign Minister will discuss issues of particular Greek interest in her meetings in the United States.
With regard to progress on the Cyprus processes, as you know of course, there is an implementation process of the 8 July agreement, which should have moved faster than it has, in my view.
The responsibility for our not having the expected and hoped-for progress lies with the Turkish Cypriot side. Beyond that, this process is under way – and this is a positive element. I am certain that during her meeting with the Secretary General, the Foreign Minister will be given the opportunity to review developments on this particular issue and study prospects regarding this process.
Mr. Gilson: I would like to ask for a clarification. If I am not mistaken, the problem that arises from the committees is that the Turkish Cypriot side does not agree to discuss issues that directly concern the settlement of the Cyprus issue.
Are there any ideas on how to convince the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish side to enter into discussions on issues that directly concern the settlement of the Cyprus issue?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The full competency and responsibility for handling this particular issue lies, as you realise, with the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Greek government has a specific position. It is handling this issue from a particular perspective. We believe that results have to be produced quickly, in order for the first steps toward a well-prepared settlement process on the Cyprus issue to be taken.
Mr. Kapoutsis: Mr. Spokesman, do we have information on what NATO Secretary General Mr. Scheffer said to Mr. Zeppos, who asked for a meeting regarding the issue of the Turkish side’s conduct concerning the NATO exercise in the Aegean and the demilitarization of Agios Efstratios?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing to announce at the moment. There was and there will be a follow-up to this first meeting.
Mr. Meletis: Is there a diplomatic answer on the part of our Permanent Representation to NATO to the document sent by Turkey, which is now clearly calling into question sovereign rights over Agios Efstratios?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing new. Since you mentioned a document sent by the Turkish side, at this time there’s nothing official confirming the existence of such a document that may have been sent by Turkey to the Secretary General himself.
The Turkish side, as you realise, presents its positions, too, on which we have taken a stance, on their substance but also on the fact, as I told you, that they are both unfounded and thus unacceptable for us.
The Greek side has fully briefed the Secretary General on its positions, in the conviction, the certainty that they are firmly grounded in international law, international treaties, including of course the Lausanne Treaty.
Mr. Meletis: Based on what you are saying, when will the scheduled exercise take place?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no information on that and, besides, it is within the competency of another Ministry, but I personally have no information on the setting of a new date.
Mr. Bourdaras: Mr. Spokesman, given the deadlock in discussion between Pristina and Belgrade on the issue of Kosovo’s future status, and since the issue is heading for the Security Council, could you tell us what Greece’s stance on the determining of Kosovo’s future status is in these new circumstances?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek position is firm, in the sense that it is our conviction that a viable solution is called for on this issue, a solution that will strengthen peace and security in the region, and this, of course, presupposes safeguarding Kosovo’s multiethnic and multicultural character, ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities for economic growth for all its residents.
And of course, a solution that will have the greatest possible guarantees for success, in the direction that I have already mentioned. It is logical that it should be a solution with which all interested parties can live.
Regarding the process of reaching a final settlement on its future status, our view is that if this process requires more time for a solution – as the one I just described – to be found, the Greek government’s view is this time should be found and granted by the international community.
Mr. Meletis: Your answer, Mr. Spokesman – we mentioned this again, recently – is lacking something that I remember was constantly mentioned by this Ministry under Mr. Molyviatis, i.e., that Greece requests and supports an agreed solution on Kosovo.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I mentioned that a viable solution; that is, it has to be a solution with which both parties can live. So it arises naturally from what I just told you that it has to be a balanced solution based on the logic of a mutual compromise.
Mr. Meletis: The solution has to be the result of an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Mutual compromise presupposes an agreement.
Mr. Meletis: Compromises are sometimes imposed.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The process is under way and you know that the next stage is a discussion at the UN, based on the provisions and decisions by the international community.
Mr. Gilson: Russia…
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and has a significant say in this process, something that Greece doesn’t have, as you realise. It is not a permanent member, of course, and it is longer a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
What I told you is that, Greece’s view regarding the process under way is that if it is considered to have guarantees for greater success if it takes more time, the international community has to find and give that time.
Mr. Papathanasiou: Mr. Spokesman, tomorrow’s agreement on the oil pipeline is being signed at a time when new balances are being struck in the global energy environment, but also with regard to the issue of anti-missile defence. What is the position on the part of Athens on these new international balances, but also on the relations between Athens and Washington, and Athens and Moscow?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Listen, I see that you are obviously making a link between the two developments, as developments taking place in the international arena. I wanted to stress that I see no immediate link between the two, so that there is no misunderstanding as to how I understand your question.
With regard to the energy issue, I would like to repeat something that you are fully aware of, i.e., that, all these years, the Greek government has placed particular emphasis on the strategic field of energy. And there are specific political actions.
You know that an agreement was signed establishing the Energy Community of South-East Europe, and tomorrow, with this historic agreement, the pipeline project will move ahead. All the necessary steps for the implementation of the Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline have been taken.
Here, I would like to add that Greece has a say in this discussion about energy security, in the sense that Greek shipping, which is internationally recognized and powerful, provides in essence the ability to safely transport energy by means of “moveable pipelines” for oil and natural gas, i.e., Greek-owned tankers or tankers of Greek interests for energy transport.
From this perspective, we of course participate in the discussions currently being held in the European Union on its energy strategy.
So Greece is exercising a structured policy. With tomorrow’s agreement and the implementation of the pipeline project, Greece is steadily and irrevocably entering the world’s energy map.
We think that the issue of energy security is a very serious aspect of the wider and significant problem of international security. Our position on this is clear and I think that it was made crystal clear by the Prime Minister’s recent statement in Brussels, i.e., that Greece believes these issues go beyond national borders and limits, so they are issues that call for the broadest possible international cooperation, and of course exhaustive and substantial dialogue.
Mr. Santamouris: Our reports say that different prospects have arisen so that very soon we will have developments regarding the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Should we expect something following the Foreign Minister’s meeting or meetings in the US?
And a second question, will the issues to be discussed by Ms. Bakoyannis include the issue of US antimissile defence in the European Union and, if yes, in which category of the ones you just mentioned will it be included? And has an issue of installing such antimissile defence units in Greece been raised? Thank you.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: With regard to the issue of the antimissile defence, you know that it is an issue included in US foreign policy priorities. I cannot pre-empt or predict whether Ms. Rice will mention this priority – one of the priorities of US policy – during her meeting with the Foreign Minister.
As to whether there is a discussion within NATO and whether issues of antimissile defence will also concern our country: There is already concern and discussion in NATO; there is a statement by the Secretary General that is being evaluated in the sense that at this time there is nothing specific concerning our country. Our stance on this international security issue has been described and I would like to refer you to the answer given recently by the Prime Minister.
I also owe you an answer regarding the name issue. I will not repeat Greece’s well-known and standing positions, the objective for a mutually agreed-upon solution on this issue, the process – as you know – is evolving at its own pace. I do not foresee a development of the importance or the extent that you mentioned in your question.
Mr. Bourdaras: Coming back to the issue of the antimissile defence and NATO partners. Mr. Scheffer’s position was perfectly clear in his statement. He also spoke of Greece regarding the danger that it faces or that it might potentially face in the future with regard to Iran. Do you have a comment on this, do you agree with this assessment? It was very clear.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is an assessment of the NATO Secretary General. I do not think it is an assessment that has arisen as a collective conclusion from a discussion within NATO’s bodies. Of course, the Secretary General has the right to make assessments and take positions. Beyond that, as you know, Greece’s stance on this issue is guided by the position expressed by the Prime Minister in Brussels.
Mr. Bourdaras: You did not answer as to whether you agree or not with Mr. Scheffer’s particular statement.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will comment on Mr. Scheffer’s statement. Mr. Scheffer has made an assessment in his statement; I am not willing to comment on that. And the way in which I answered the question was that I said that I – for one – am not aware at this time of a collective conclusion in this direction.
Ms. Kourbela: Mr. Spokesman, because this is a very topical issue, the European Union is promoting its common energy policy internally and externally. Does Greece support the EU’s common foreign energy policy.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece supports all the common policies that can be implemented – given that they have been worked out in common by all the member states, because we believe that the European Union’s voice and international role are being strengthened in this way.
Mr. Hadoulis: Is there something that you can tell us today on the details of the agreement to be signed tomorrow?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, and it is not within my competence.
Mr. Ghoro: A question on the issue of Kosovo. Direct discussions in Vienna were fruitless. What you just told us is to give a bit more time, if necessary, in case this whole thing is not positive? I am saying this because the state of affairs in Pristina and Mitrovica is very tense, as we all know.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have been very careful in what I stated. I spoke of the process under way, a process that is currently moving toward the UN. From what I know, Mr. Ahtisaari’s proposal has still not been submitted to the Secretary General. I am not speaking of the Security Council, this is another step.
So, I was very careful in my position, I said that if the process under way seems to need more time in order to reach a solution – which in Greece’s view, must be a solution to safeguard the region’s security – then this time should be found and given. I did not speak of the bilateral negotiations, whose final stage has indeed been concluded. I am talking about the process in general.
Journalist: (off microphone)
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek position is clear and I think we do not need to repeat it. What are we seeking? Our objective is for the day after - following a settlement - to be a day of stability and peace for the region, with potential for development cooperation and progress for the region. This is what we are pursuing, what we hope for, what we wanted to happen following a settlement.
We say that if the international community thinks that in order to achieve such a viable solution ensuring security, stability and peace in our region, extra time is needed, then this time should be granted, in Greece’s view.
This is the Greek position. It is a strategic choice, a choice for stability and peace in the Balkans.
Mr. Ghoro: A clarification on that. Will Greece pursue a general settlement of region’s problems?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The question has already been answered in depth.
Mr. Meletis: Within the framework of Greece’s role in the Middle East and given the traditionally strong shipping that the country has…
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I spoke of commercial shipping.
Mr. Meletis: No, I am talking about the Greek navy. Will Greece claim – as it ought to – UNIFIL’s command for the coming year?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: All the aspects of this matter have also been answered by the Prime Minister recently. He gave a specific answer in Brussels on all the aspects of this issue.
Mr. Kapoutsis: Mr. Meimarakis has also answered on this.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Thank you for informing me. As Mr. Meimarakis gave an answer too, obviously his answer also stands.
Thank you.