Athens, 29 May 2007
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek Foreign Ministry is monitoring the flare-up of violence in the Gaza Strip and West Bank with intense concern. We call for an immediate end to the armed clashes between Palestinians and stress that unity under the President of the Palestinian Authority and under the government that has been formed on his mandate is imperative to and a vital prerequisite for the success of the Palestinians’ struggle for the formation of a sovereign, independent and democratic Palestinian state.
At the same time, we call on the Palestinians to stop the attacks on Israeli settlements; attacks that not only result in the death and injury of civilians, but also run counter to the need for substantial dialogue and the prospects for peace negotiations with Israel.
Finally, we call on Israel to show restraint and to end its military operations in the Gaza Strip and the targeting and arrests of elected political representatives of the Palestinians, as this does not strengthen the prospects for negotiations and peace in the region.
On Wednesday and Thursday, 30 and 31 May, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will accompany the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, on his state visit to Russia.
On Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 June, Ms. Bakoyannis will be in Rethymno, Crete, where – as I announced to you at our previous meeting – the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Forum will be taking place.
Next week, on 4-6 June, the Minister will carry out a working visit to Egypt. On Monday, 4 June, she will be in Alexandria to officially open the Melina Mercouri exhibition at the Library of Alexandria. I want to mention here that this exhibit is being held under the auspices of the Greek Foreign Ministry, UNESCO, the Melina Mercouri Foundation, and the Alexandria branch of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture.
Ms. Bakoyannis will also meet in Alexandria with the Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodoros II, as well as representatives of the Greek community.
On 5 and 6 June, the Foreign Minister will be in Cairo, where she is scheduled to have meetings with her Egyptian counterpart, Mr. Aboul Gheit, Egyptian President Mr. Mubarak, and Arab League Secretary General Mr. Amr Moussa.
I would also like to mention that at 20:00 today, the Minister will attend and speak at the presentation of the book "24 Seconds", by MP Mr. Dimitris Konstantaras.
A few words on the Mediterranean Forum. The Forum will be attended by the Foreign Ministers of the 11 founding members: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The proceedings of this year’s Ministerial Meeting will focus on the examination of critical developments in the Middle East, and specifically the outlook for the peace process.
Moreover, there will be an opportunity for an exchange of views on the future of the Forum and the usefulness of the institution, which, due to its informal and flexible nature, is useful as a workshop for ideas concerning the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, which is participated in by 27 members.
One of the issues that will be addressed in particular by the Meeting is that of energy. Our country has specific proposals that it will be putting forward; proposals that have to do with the need to create an energy community of Mediterranean countries.
Another critical issue that requires broad cooperation is migration. Portugal, which will be chairing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in the second half of 2007, will convene a conference on this issue, on the ministerial level, of the competent Ministers. For our part, we want to provide impetus in this direction and submit specific proposals.
On Tuesday, 29 May – today – at 17:00, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis will brief the Parliamentary Standing Committee on European Affairs on developments in the European Union concerning the European Constitutional Treaty.
On Friday, 1 June, Mr. Valinakis will meet at the Foreign Ministry with his Luxembourg counterpart, Mr. Nicolas Schmit. A working lunch will follow their meeting.
On the afternoon of the same day, Mr. Valinakis will travel to Rethymno, Crete, to participate in the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the Mediterranean Forum.
Finally, on Monday, 4 June, at 19:00, Mr. Valinakis will speak at the 3rd annual Conference organised by the Hellenic Observatory of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Association of Greek LSE Alumni. Mr. Valinakis will speak on “The European Strategy for Sustainable Development and Greece”.
On 30 and 31 May, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis will be in Doha, within the framework of the intensification of bilateral economic relations and the mutual attraction of investments by Greece and Qatar. This visit is a follow-up to the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister’s visit this past March.
On Friday, 1 June, at 09:00, Mr. Stylianidis will meet with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Ferenc Gyurcsany, during the latter’s visit to Greece, as well as with a group of Greek and Hungarian entrepreneurs, within the framework of strengthening bilateral economic relations and attracting investments.
On Monday, 4 June, at 10:00, Mr. Stylianidis will address the 11th International Conference of the Thessaloniki Forum, on “International Markets: the position of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece”. This Forum is being organised by the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece and the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce.
That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.
Ms. Nikolaou: Recently, the Cypriot government proposed two plans for the financial support of Turkish Cypriots. Mr. Talat is reacting in this case as well, and is refusing to implement the July 8 agreement. What is your comment on the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are referring to the strengthening of cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businesses through, for example, joint ventures.
This is without a doubt a very important and courageous decision on the part of the Cypriot government, whose objective is clear. This is an effort to strengthen the financial and trade relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, through the provision of serious incentives. At the same time, it strengthens, and is preparatory to the economic and territorial unification of the island. These are very important measures and should be treated as such by the Turkish Cypriot side as well.
With regard to the negative stance taken by the Turkish Cypriot leadership, I think it is very difficult to conceal the intention to deter Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs from proceeding to actions that would be to the benefit of their companies; that is, to proceed to the setting up of Greek Cypriot-Turkish Cypriot joint ventures.
Mr. Hadoulis: I would like to ask to what extent all 11 Foreign Ministers of the Mediterranean Forum have confirmed their participation, and whether you can tell us something more regarding the proposal to be submitted by Greece on energy cooperation. And more on this issue, on energy specifically.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the energy proposal, I mentioned the basic idea, the core of the initiative. At this time I don't think that it would be useful, before the meeting, for us to go into the details of this proposal. I gave you the framework. Beyond that, regarding participation, I don't have a finalised picture. I know that there will be a number of Foreign Ministers present at this Meeting.
Mr. Meletis: Mr. Spokesman, I wasn't paying attention at the beginning. On what day will Ms. Bakoyannis meet with Mr. Lavrov in Moscow, or did you not mention that?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: No, I didn't mention it. I said that she will accompany the President of the Republic, Mr. Papoulias.
Mr. Meletis: Did you omit to mention the meeting, or has it not yet been finalized?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Foreign Minister will meet with her Russian counterpart, Mr. Lavrov, on Thursday, 31 May.
Ms. Fryssa: What is your comment on Skopje's decision to allow Greek citizens to enter FYROM with just a Greek identity card?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don't think there is any such decision. What we do know is that the Skopje government may be looking at such a measure. They are looking at ways to enable Greek citizens to visit the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with just their ID cards.
I have no comment on this, because a political decision has not been taken on this. But I can announce that in the first four months of 2007, visits by Greek citizens to the neighboring country fell by about 40% as compared to the corresponding periods in 2006 and 2005. This may be a matter of concern to the Skopje government.
Ms. Kourbela: I would like to ask two questions. The first question is again on the issue of energy, despite your saying that you can't tell us anything more. Is the Greek initiative similar to the initiative for the establishment of the energy market in Southeast Europe?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: This will be an initial exchange of views on this idea, as I described to you in general terms. I cannot jump ahead of the outcome of this discussion. I think it is positive that such a discussion is being initiated, and on the level of the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Ms. Kourbela: And my other question concerns the visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister. I know that the Hungarians are very interested in cooperating with Greece in the Western Balkans, both in the energy sector and on the implementation of the agreement on linking the electricity grids, as well as on various other energy and transport infrastructure projects. What is the Greek position on this? Has some preparation been made?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don't have anything specific to tell you. I will ask and let you know. Your question is very specific, so my answer needs to be based on specific data.
Mr. Malaspinas: Mr. Spokesman, on Friday, US Representative Ms. Maloney and 30 other Members of the House of Representatives who are of Greek origin or are philhellenes submitted a bill to the House of Representatives to have Greece included in the visa-waiver programme. Does the Ministry have any comment on this development?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: We are aware of this development. It is certainly a positive development. You are also aware of the ongoing effort that has been in progress for some time for Greece to be included in this programme.
We consider this to be a positive development, without its being the final outcome of this effort.
Mr. Kapoutsis: Has there been any development regarding the Jerusalem Patriarchate? Has the crisis been defused? Will the King of Jordan sign the decision of the Ministerial Council? Will the government of Israel recognize the Patriarchate? Or Theophilos as the Patriarch of Jerusalem? Do we have anything new on this? And will Mr. Kassimis be visiting Jerusalem to see firsthand what the developments are there?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I have nothing new on that. I will stand on what we have said regarding this issue.
Mr. Papathanasiou: Has a meeting in the first 10 days of June or thereabouts been requested or scheduled with US Under Secretary Mr. Burns, and will the Skopje issue be on the agenda?
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, a visit by Mr. Burns to Greece is being scheduled for the beginning of the second week in June, and all issues of regional interest will be discussed.
So I assume that this issue, too, will be discussed, but at this time I do not have a detailed agenda for the discussions that will take place.
Mr. Papathanasiou: I would like an official position regarding criticism that is being levelled concerning the announcement issued recently by the Foreign Ministry regarding the Pontian issue.
Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I read this criticism. I would like to say that only a intentionally restrictive interpretation could argue that the tragic fate of Pontus Hellenism does not refer to the historically substantiated genocide of Pontus Greeks.
That's what I want to say, and in lieu of a further answer, I would like to refer to a press release issued in Thessaloniki by the Panhellenic Federation of Pontian Associations on 25 May, the concluding paragraph of which says, among other things: "We thank the Foreign Ministry for the answer it gave …".
I refer you to that announcement.
Thank you very much.