Athens , 28 June 2007

(unofficial translation)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good day. On Monday 2 July, at 12:00, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will meet with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Petras Vaitiekunas, who is carrying out a working visit to our country. They will make statements to the press between 13:00 and 13:15.

The main topics of discussion are expected to be the conclusions of the recent European Council with particular emphasis on the reform treaty, developments in the western Balkans with an emphasis on Kosovo, developments in the Middle East, and, of course, bilateral economic relations and energy matters.

On Wednesday, 4 July, the Minister will be in Rome, carrying out an official visit to the Vatican, where she is to have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. The Minister is also expected to meet with her counterpart, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, who is the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. The basic topics of discussion will, of course, focus on developments in the European Union and regional matters.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Y. Valinakis will be in Slovenia, on Thursday and Friday, 5 and 6 July, where he is to represent our country at the 4th informal meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union's Mediterranean countries.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. T. Kassimis is accompanying the President of the Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, on his three-day visit (26-28 June) to Armenia.

On Monday, 2 July, at 12:00, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. E. Stylianidis will successively receive at the Foreign Ministry the Ambassadors of Hungary, Ireland and Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, 5 June, at 12:30, he will have a one-to-one meeting with the co-chair of the Greek-Azerbaijani Joint Interministerial Committee. At 14:30 of the same day, he will open the proceedings of the Permanent Interministerial Committee at the “Sofianopoulou” Hall of the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry, consistent with its policy on promoting inter-ethnic reconciliation and building a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo, is continuing the implementation of programmes of multi-level development assistance in this particular region.

Last Saturday, 23 June, 86 Kosovo Serbs of all ages, who had been displaced following incidents of inter-ethnic violence, returned to the village Srpski Babus. The new accommodation for these families has been constructed by the Greek non-governmental organisation “European Perspective” thanks to funds from the Foreign Ministry’s Hellenic AID.

This initiative has been appreciated by the region’s local authorities and Pristina’s political leadership, and it is being followed by the construction of similar settlements in other regions of Kosovo.

In today’s politically delicate context, our country continues to support actions promoting peace, stability and progress in the Balkans, playing a constructive role recognised by all the parties.

Your questions, please.

Mr. Polatos: In her meeting with the Pope, will Ms. Bakoyannis raise the issue of the Ecumenical nature of the Patriarchate?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes. It is one of the issues that the Foreign Minister will raise.

Mr. Polatos: (off microphone). Could you tell us what to expect?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We will talk about all that after the meeting. Let me remind you, in order to give you the full picture, that in his recent visit to the Phanar, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly addressed Patriarch Bartholomew using his title, i.e., “Ecumenical Patriarch”, confirming that the recognition of the spiritual leadership of the Patriarch of Constantinople is well received, that it is a given fact, around  the world and it is deeply rooted in the minds not only of Orthodox and other Christians, but also of the faithful of other religions and creeds.

Mr. Kalaritis: Have there been flights or attempts of flights by Skopje airlines under the name “Macedonia”, and if so, has there been a reaction on the part of Greece?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Since 1992, the applied practice on our part has consisted in not granting flight permission to FYROM aircraft under the name “Macedonian” or “Macedonia”, etc. On the contrary, particularly after 1995, the year of the Interim Accord, hundreds of requests on the part of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for aircraft or flights not meeting these characteristics have been accepted without any problems.

I would like to add that such issues are the technical ramifications of the prolonged pending process aimed at finding a mutually acceptable name, which, as you know, Greece is sincerely trying to complete.

Finding a mutually acceptable solution will have a positive impact on the normalisation of the political relations of the two countries and contribute to further strengthening these relations at a political and also economic level. It will have a positive impact on regional cooperation and a positive impact on the Euro-Atlantic course of our neighbouring country, as well.

We are waiting for a constructive stance from the other side.

Mr. Meletis: Does your statement from the previous briefing or the one before that – I don’t quite remember – still stand, i.e., that Mr. Molyviatis’ commitment to Skopje’s accession to NATO under the name FYROM is now outdated?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I never gave you such an answer in our previous briefing or at any other briefing. I said that the policy and the stance formulated by the Greek government cannot and are not being formulated in a political vacuum, ignoring other developments. I did not say that it is outdated or what have you. I said that the Greek government is keeping this possibility.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone)… In any event, does it now stand that we are supporting this country’s accession as FYROM?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Foreign Minister recently gave a detailed position in her address to the Parliament, in answer to a question by PASOK MPs. I would like to refer you to the Foreign Minister’s speech and the answers she gave at the Hellenic Parliament on 15 June.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: …that the candidacy will be judged as a whole within European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. We will make a judgment based on the implementation of the condition of good neighbourly relations, of substantial flexibility as part of the process of reaching a mutually acceptable solution and, of course, whether other basic preconditions, such as full compliance with the Ohrid agreement, the consistent implementation of the rule of law, the democratic and efficient operation of justice, the effective tackling of all kinds of smuggling, including illegal arms trade.

In her speech, the Foreign Minister stated: “I need not add that Skopje’s accession perspective under the so-called constitutional name ‘Republic of Macedonia’ are simply of no substance”.

Mr. Meletis: In conclusion, not wanting to take up more of your time, does this mean that Greece sets the resolution of the name issue as a precondition for this country’s accession to NATO?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You were not paying attention.

Mr. Meletis: No, I was paying a great deal of attention.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Our judgment is based on the implementation of the policy of good neighbourly relations, substantial flexibility within the framework of the process of finding a mutually acceptable solution.

Mr. Meletis: Substantial flexibility is to accept a solution and to discuss on one of Mr. Nimetz’s proposals. This is not a solution. It is something else. In other words, reaching a settlement on the name issue is Greece’s precondition for Skopje’s accession to NATO, to put it more simply.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that we will evaluate it as a whole with regard to all the criteria that we have set. We are keeping all the possibilities that are provided for.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone). Is a solution on the name issue one of the criteria?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We are keeping all the possibilities open.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone) Is resolving the name issue one of the criteria?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’ve answered that.

Mr. Meletis: (off microphone). I don’t think you have. Thank you.

Mr. Spyropoulos: Let me ask you something with regard to the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Ecumenical nature of the Patriarch. Is the Greek government going to take any measures or does it have any measures in mind with a view to protecting the Patriarchate, the rights, assets, etc. of the Patriarchate, as well as the Greek community in Turkey?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek government is making continuous efforts in this direction; at a European level as well. As you know, the European texts on Turkey’s accession course are full of references to the need of respect for religious freedom on the part of Turkey, with specific references to the Patriarchate, the Heybeliada (Halki) Seminary, etc., as well as the Greek community of Gokceada (Imvros) and Bozcaada (Tenedos). This has, in fact, been a development that was first noted when these references were introduced into these European texts.

At the same time, as you know, it is not just Europe that is showing a sensitivity with regard to the Patriarchate. I would like to remind you of and refer you to yesterday’s statement of State Department Deputy Spokesman Mr. Tom Casey. I am also referring to the statements recently made by former US Vice-President Mr. Gore. I am referring to the unprecedented - in the history of the House of Representatives – support in terms of the overwhelming majority in favour of signing a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey, which was signed by 42 out of the 50 members of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the House of Representatives, setting out the issue of the Patriarchate in a clear and unambiguous manner.

Everything I mentioned is indicative of the fact that the issue of the Patriarchate is not a bilateral issue. Of course, Greece has a particular interest in the issues of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s smooth and unimpeded operation for obvious historic and other reasons. I repeat that it is evident from all that I mentioned that the regime, the operation and the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are of concern – and this has been expressed – and of interest to states and organisations beyond Greece.

Mr. Mavridis: You said in your radio interview yesterday that this judicial ruling regarding the Patriarchate was made 1 ½ to 2 months beforehand and was only made public yesterday, i.e, a day after the Karamanlis-Erdogan meeting. Many people are saying that this is an indication of Ankara’s discontent with the Karamanlis-Putin agreement, something that you, yourself didn’t call into question, saying it is something logical.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I said that it is a logical leap, with which I – could not agree as the Foreign Ministry spokesman as well.

Mr. Mavridis: I would like to ask, given that we have information that there is such a discontent with this agreement on the part of the US too, whether you fear a similar reaction…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We do not fear…

Mr. Mavridis: Are you worried, are you expecting a similar reaction on the part of the US?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let’s make two things clear. The development that took place, this very positive development with Greece’s decision to take part in the construction of this particular pipeline concerns the way in which Greece implements its energy policy, taking into account the agreement with the European Union and the European Commission. We are placing great emphasis on the issue of energy security in Europe. This security is not simply supported with the diversification of sources, but also with the differentiation of energy transport routes.

This has nothing to do with the issue of the recent announcement of the Turkish court’s ruling. Here, I would like to correct something I mentioned yesterday. The information I had yesterday was that this decision was taken one or two months ago. The reality is that the ruling was made a fortnight ago and was made public the day before yesterday.

With regard to the eventuality of discontent of different sides, first of all, I am not aware of such discontent being noted, and secondly, Greece’s cooperation and willingness to discuss energy issues with all sides is well-known and is a given fact.

Mr. Polatos: Last year, Ms. Bakoyannis and her Turkish counterpart agreed to prolong the summer moratorium by 15 days.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: By one month.

Mr. Polatos: By 15 days, starting in June, and 15 days in September. Yesterday, Turkish aircraft flew over Greek islands. Does the Foreign Ministry consider that this behaviour is in violation of the agreement or is this something normal?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Here, I would like to remind you that the summer moratorium concerns the planning and carrying out of national exercises. That is one thing.

This does not, however, mean that this practice, i.e., Turkey’s practice of massive activity in the Aegean which ignores the rules of operation of the Athens FIR and, of course, the limits of Greece’s national airspace, is a positive or constructive attitude. On the contrary, it is a negative practice, and it is as such that it is addressed – as we have repeatedly said, but not simply because we said it, but because it is the reality – diplomatically and operationally; immediately and effectively.

Mr. Meletis: Has the Greek Embassy in Ankara answered Turkey’s verbal note of March-April on the issue of the collision over Karpathos?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no information on that.

Mr. Meletis: Do you not?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no information on this issue.

Mr. Meletis: You don’t have any information? Was an answer given or wasn’t it? That is what I mean.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no specific information at the moment so as to give you an answer.

Mr. Meletis: For what reason is the Greek government, the Foreign Ministry late in giving an answer to a verbal note that was characterised insolent and provocative in March, given that it was demanding an indemnity for the F-16?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that I have no specific information on this issue. First of all, when I am given this information, I will let you know. Secondly, all the actions to be taken by the Foreign Ministry are being taken – and there is no need to repeat it, it is completely obvious – exclusively bearing in mind the effective protection of Greece’s interests.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, a very important issue is being raised here. Can you give us an answer in the written  briefing, whether an answer was given or not? Because I guess any sensible person would take it from your current answer that the Turkish verbal note has not been answered. And I would like to know in which way Greek interests are being safeguarded given that a Turkish verbal note that was issued four months ago has not been answered.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that I do not have any specific information on this particular issue. If you make one conclusion or the other based on that, I cannot stop you. But I believe that this is not the conclusion that one should draw.

Mr. Meletis: I would like to ask you to look into this… to inquire and get back to us as to whether we have given an answer to Turkey or not. And if no answer was given, to give us a political reply as to why this answer has not been given.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you, I will look into that and get back to you.

Mr. Gilson: I would like to ask a question regarding the 1997 Madrid declaration. What is the legal substance of this text provided it still in force?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: There was a joint communiqué in Madrid.

Mr. Gilson: Is this communiqué legally binding?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I told you that it is a joint communiqué. It is not part of an interstate agreement.

Mr. Gilson: So, it is not something that can be legally in force.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I answered your question. The title of this text is “joint communiqué”; it is a communiqué, exactly as its title says, it is not an interstate agreement.

Mr. Kottaridis: Does New Democracy’s view that the Simitis government was recognising vital interests in the Aegean to Turkey, a view that was expressed when the party was in opposition, still stand?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I am not commenting on party positions.

Mr. Kalaritis: Do you think that the appointment of former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair as the Quartet’s representative for the resolution of the Middle East conflict will help this resolution?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Mr. Blair is a well-known international figure. He is taking on a new task with great responsibility. We wish him  success in his task and his mission, because the situation in the Middle East calls for immediate, substantial and effective action.

Mr. Kalaritis: (off microphone) I am asking something else, Mr. Spokesman. The man who led the war…

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I gave you an answer.

Mr. Kalaritis: (off microphone) … information that was proven to be false. Will it help in resolving the Middle East issue? That is what I am asking.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I gave you an answer.

Mr. Malaspinas: Last week, the President of the “Free Agia Sophia Council of America”, Mr. Chris Spirou, spoke to the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Does the Ministry have a position on this issue? And secondly, we heard that the Turkish Consul to Washington attended the hearing. I would like your comment, please.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have no comment. This is a private initiative; an initiative with a particular aim. Beyond that, I have no further comment.

Thank you.