Athens
, 14 May 2009
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. Foreign Minister Bakoyannis sent a get well message to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew today, saying the following:
“Please accept my profound, heartfelt best wishes for a speedy recovery, so that you can continue in full health the vital work you carry out for the good of the mother Church and the Nation.”
I would like to take this opportunity to add my own heartfelt wishes for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s speedy recovery.
Regarding the programme of activities, today at 11:30 Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis will receive the Vice Chairperson of the All-China Women’s Federation at the Foreign Ministry. And 20 minutes later, at 11:50, she will receive the Turkish Ambassador to Athens, Mr. Celikkol.
Ms. Bakoyannis is scheduled to meet at 13:00, at the Foreign Ministry, with NATO Secretary General Mr. Scheffer, in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis, and they will have a working luncheon at that time and will make statements to the press afterwards.
Tomorrow, Friday, 15 May, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg, at a time to be announced. I think that will probably be early in the evening, after 18:00.
On Monday, 18 May, at 11:00, Ms. Bakoyannis will open the proceedings of the 17th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, in Lagonisi. At the end of today’s briefing, I will say a few words about this important meeting in Lagonisi.
On Wednesday, 20 May, Ms. Bakoyannis will receive the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mr. Downer.
Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis will meet tomorrow, Friday, 15 May, at 12:30, with Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs Mr. Mazuru, who is carrying out a working visit to our country. Following their meeting, a working luncheon will be held in honour of the Romanian State Secretary.
Tomorrow at 19:00, Mr. Valinakis will be the keynote speaker at an event being hosted by the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy, on the subject of “1979-2009: 30 years of European elections”. This event will take place at the Divani Caravel.
On Monday, 18 May, Mr. Valinakis will be in Brussels to represent our country at the proceedings of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, which is being held with the participation of Defense Ministers. The main items on the agenda are preparations for the European Council of 18-19 June, as well as preparations for the EU-Russian Summit set for 21 and 22 May, in Russia.
At the joint meeting of Foreign and Defense Ministers set to take place at the coming GAERC, the basic items on the agenda will be the situation in Bosnia and operation Atalanta – the operation being carried out by decision of the UN, off the coast of Somalia.
Mr. Kassimis will meet at 14:00 on Saturday, 16 May, at the Foreign Ministry, with Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius. Monday through Wednesday, 18-20 May, Mr. Kassimis will accompany the President of the Republic, Mr. Papoulias, on his state visit to Denmark.
Finally, at 12:00 on Thursday, 21 May, Mr. Kassimis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with the South Australia Minister for Justice, Mr. Atkinson.
Mr. Varvitsiotis is participating today in the 11th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), which is taking place at the Electra Palace. Earlier today, Mr. Varvitsiotis delivered the opening speech at this meeting.
Finally, on Monday and Tuesday, 18 and 19 May, Mr. Varvitsiotis will be in Brussels to participate in the meeting of EU Development Cooperation Ministers.
Before I finish with the announcements, I would like to say a few words about the 17th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum.
The subject of the meeting is “Migration management and its linkages with economic, social and environmental policies to the benefit of stability and security in the OSCE region”.
This forum is a platform for proposals and ideas from the representatives of states, international organizations and civil society, lending political momentum to dialogue and proposing ways to move ahead with OSCE activities in this vital sector.
Let me remind you and stress that the proceedings will be opened by Foreign Minister Bakoyannis on Monday, 18 May, at 10:00, and that OSCE Secretary General Brichambaut will also speak. Other speakers will include the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, a former OSCE Secretary General, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration, etc.
That’s it for announcements. I am at your disposal for any questions you might have.
Mr. Santamouris: I would like to ask whether it is legally and politically possible for there to be a platform in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for discussion of the Macedonian issue. And a second question: What is your comment on Javier Solana’s statement at his meeting with Skopje political figures, to the effect that the Former Yugoslav Republic will very likely receive a date soon for its accession dialogue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the proposals, initiatives and thoughts of parliamentary assemblies of international organizations, you know that parliamentary assemblies – based on their internal procedures – can pass political resolutions on various initiatives. I don’t think there is any legal or other limitation.
Beyond that, everything that has come to light regarding these thoughts or a possible initiative is precisely what I said: An initiative from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and not of the Council – that is, the OSCE heads of state and government.
Regarding Mr. Solana’s statements, the comment is that it is well known that the decisions bearing on the course of accession candidate countries are taken unanimously by the member states, and these decisions are based on the positions of member states, on evaluation of the extent to which a given candidate country has fulfilled a number of criteria, prerequisites, conditions. And as you know, one of the fundamental prerequisites for this is good neighbourly relations.
Mr. Dimitriadis: First of all, a question on the Skopje issue. Is there any activity on the part of Mr. Nimetz regarding talks on starting a new round of talks before the end of May? And the second is what the Chairmanship is going to do from here on in regarding Ossetia, following Russia’s rejection of its plan?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: In his previous statements, Mr. Nimetz did not stipulate the time at which he will take specific initiatives to resume the carrying out of the mandate he has from the UN regarding the name issue.
Beyond that, you are well aware of the political situation at this moment – that is, on 7 June Europe is holding European Parliament elections. This is a specific point in time. Beyond that, I cannot predict the point in time at which Mr. Nimetz will resume his activities within the framework of his mandate.
Regarding the issue of the efforts being made by the Greek Chairmanship to resolve in a mutually acceptable manner the issue of the OSCE mission’s remaining in Georgia.
As soon as the Greek Chairmanship took up its duties and mission, it began intensive efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution; that is, to reach unanimity, consensus in order to resolve the issue of extending the OSCE mission mandate in Georgia.
Tireless efforts have been under way throughout this time. Various proposals have been submitted in an effort to bridge disparate views; views that had totally different points of departure and points that as matters of principle made the achievement of unanimity extremely difficult.
Because both views, as I said, were based on and expressed matters of principle. The Greek Chairmanship tried in a number of ways and with many proposals to depoliticize the issue, proposing solutions of a technical nature in order to bridge the disparate positions of the sides.
At this stage, it has not been rendered feasible to reach the consensus desired by the Greek Chairmanship, which functioned as an honest broker.
The Greek Chairmanship would like to hope that we haven’t run out of hope or some probability of reaching a coincidence of views and unanimity in the end, so that we can move ahead.
And let me add that during these efforts of some 7 months, those articulating the two positions had very positive things to say about the really courageous decision of the Chairmanship to attempt this solution and bridge the disparate views on this truly difficult issue.
Mr. Papathanasiou: What is on the agenda for the talks with outgoing Secretary General Scheffer, and what is the Ministry’s appraisal of the outgoing Secretary General’s stance on matters of Greek interest throughout his term in office?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The agenda – the discussion, if you will, which will really be an open discussion – will of course focus on a review of issues that the Alliance is dealing with, and – beyond that – the prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Alliance.
It is not the practice for member states to evaluate a Secretary General’s term in the manner you requested from me, and I will attempt no such evaluation, because it is not the practice institutionally. What I can say is that Mr. Scheffer was a thoroughly institutional Secretary General who fully respected the institutional framework, the principles and the rules of the Organization.
Ms. Antoniou: Mr. Spokesman, according to our information, Mr. Steinberg will travel to Skopje following the completion of his visit to Athens to have meetings there with political leaders. My first question is: should we expect a U.S. initiative on the name issue?
At the same time, the new President of Skopje said he is willing to pursue negotiations on the name issue more actively. Is the ground fertile for such a development, particularly given certain moves on the part of Skopje; for example, the re-emergence of the issue regarding the giant statue of Alexander the Great?
And another question: could you tell us a bit more about the Minister’s meeting with Turkey's ambassador?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me start by answering your question based on your reference to information regarding the giant statue of Alexander the Great etc. My only comment is that according to our information, the size, height and cost of this statue are inversely proportional to the serious and historic reality.
Beyond that, with regard to the course of discussions, I gave you the true political timeframe and the true political context.
I was given an opportunity to answer how we expect or what we expect as a move on the part of Mr. Nimetz. The interest of the United States in this issue is well known. I have no data and no specific information that a specific U.S. initiative should be expected.
Beyond that, the U.S. position is that the American side will respect and implement the outcome of negotiations – if there is such an outcome, as Greece would want – and this position remains unchanged.
Let me also add that the talks with Mr. Steinberg will not be limited to this issue. Discussions will be broader and will touch upon other issues of regional and bilateral interest.
Mr. Ivanov’s statements on Skopje’s wish to continue in a constructive manner their participation in the negotiations are being evaluated, and other factors are of course being taken into account: the behaviour, statements and practices of our neighbouring country’s leadership in the recent past.
We would like to hope, we believe and we look forward to a change in the climate of discussion and negotiations to be held; we are looking forward to and wish for a different – I mean, a more constructive, more substantial – stance, with less, or rather no attempts at all, to divert negotiations from their purpose.
And a focus on the substance of negotiations, as stipulated by UN Security Council resolutions. Greece will be present, as it always has been, with its constructive stance in this new period of discussions and talks towards the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution.
I have no specific information on the meeting with Turkish ambassador.
Journalist: I wanted to ask you how you see the policy of Turkey’s new Foreign Minister.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This is an opportunity to reiterate that the zero-problem policy with neighbouring countries as an intention, as a proclaimed stance, is undeniably positive.
We will evaluate it in terms of the policy implemented in the next stages. In any event, such a policy cannot be complete – and here I would like to reiterate something I said before – such a policy would be unsound if relations between Turkey, on the one hand, and Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, on the other, are not improved.
Mr. Pollatos: Could you please explain to us how you see Mr. Davutoglu’s view regarding a zero-problem policy. Do you think that Turkey will stop its effort to dispute Greek sovereign rights?
And a second question, whether you are aware of and whether the Foreign Ministry agrees with the proposal put forward by the Turkish side to European officials to adopt a code of communication with Greece on the Aegean.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think that my previous answer also covers your question, that there can be no objection to an intention, a stated position, a declaration to pursue a zero-problem policy with neighbouring countries.
This is also the pivotal or fundamental philosophy of Greece's foreign policy. Beyond that, how this policy can be implemented, what dimensions it has, what its nature is, remains to be seen, to be evaluated in the course of time, and this is the Greek position.
Now, with regard to this particular proposal, I have no reliable information on a Turkish proposal regarding the rules, a code of conduct. But there is talk on that within the framework of discussions regarding confidence-building measures and at the moment there are no ongoing discussions on confidence-building measures.
Mr. Santamouris: Is there a possibility for something to be announced on the visa waver on the occasion of the U.S. official’s contacts in Athens?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know if there will be a public statement on this particular issue. What I do know, and what I can say to you – perhaps repeating myself – is that the pace of progress towards achieving a solution on this issue is encouraging. That is, there are positive prospects, but that is as far as I can go.
Mr. Santamouris: So what is the pace of progress?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The pace of progress at the moment gives rise to optimism, but I cannot foretell the timing for reaching a definitive agreement.
Mr. Athanasopoulos: I would like a comment on Mr. Gul’s practices and statements with regard to the recent informal Energy Summit in Prague, first of all, regarding the Nabucco pipeline, and secondly, whether energy issues will be included in the agenda for Mr. Steinberg's talks with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Thank you.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The agenda for the talks has not been finalized yet; that is, there is no strict enumeration of issues in the form of a list for the Minister’s meeting with Mr. Steinberg.
As I said, the topics of discussions will include issues of regional and bilateral interest. But I don’t know what issues might be raised by either side.
I’ll get back to you on the other issue.
Mr. Pollatos: I wanted to ask whether we have anything new on the dispute between our two diplomats of our Ukrainian and Russian Embassies and whether measures will be taken vis-a-vis the Greek official of the Greek Embassy in Moscow?
And a second question: what is happening with the financial irregularities at the Greek Embassy in Mexico, and whether they are linked with preventive measures to tackle the new flu?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I refrain from answering questions regarding administrative issues of the Ministry, if there are no specific decisions, because sometimes questions are asked while the procedure is still ongoing.
With regard to the issue that came up regarding the correspondence between our Embassy in Moscow and our Embassy in Ukraine, what I can tell you – because this is a specific point – is that the Ministry’s Secretary General has sent a strong warning to both diplomatic officials and their replies to this warning will be evaluated.
Mr. Pollatos: (off microphone)
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Now, on the issue of Mexico, that was also of concern to us. I know that there have been reports in the press. On this issue, we have more definitive decisions, because the Higher Disciplinary Authority has permanently suspended our Ambassador to Mexico for financial irregularities during his tenure at the Greek Embassy in Mexico.
Mr. Santamouris: The question is whether Greece has drawn up alternative policies on the issue of Turkey based on calculations regarding alternative outcomes of the European elections.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As you know, European Union decisions and policies vis-a-vis candidate states, including Turkey of course, are made and determined within the framework of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Now, what exactly these will be and how Turkey's course will be evaluated is decided at the Council of Ministers and not the European Parliament, which of course has its own significant political role to play in this discussion.
And just one more thing, regarding the informal meeting of OSCE Foreign Ministers in Corfu, given all the phone calls we’ve had, we realise that there is an interest on your part, so we would like to ask you – given that accreditations have to be prepared in time – to fill in the accreditation form which we prepared and has been available on our website since yesterday, and send it by 25 May at the latest.
It would be of great help to us in preparing this meeting, and to you in scheduling your activities.
I would like to ask you to please meet the deadline.
And one last point, I would like to thank most of you, who responded to our request to take part in the e-breefing process. There are some that haven’t yet downloaded the programmes etc., but I hope that they will soon.
Our department must do the first test on the way the e-briefing will work in the coming week. So those of you who have participated, those of you who have made the relevant technical adjustments will be notified to take part in the first test for this new communication process.
Thank you very much.