Athens, 30 November 2007

Journalist: How are your relations with Turkey? Are negotiations on the situation in Cyprus moving ahead?

Ms. Bakoyannis:  First of all, we must say that Greece supports Turkey’s European perspective. Relations and negotiations are improving even further, but the European Union has to understand that Turkey is necessary for the region’s stability. Relations must be honest and open both ways. Bilateral relations are improving. We are expecting the arrival of Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Babacan, in a few days.

Journalist:  What is your opinion of French President Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposal for a special partnership with Turkey?

Ms. Bakoyannis:  We don’t see it as all that effective. We cannot be asking Turkey for reforms and at the same time close our door to it. Turkey must know that there is no a la carte Europe; that it must comply with all the conditions. Furthermore, a European and democratic Turkey is in our interest and it will contribute to solving the Cyprus issue.

Journalist: The EU has another challenge before it: Kosovo's independence, an issue that since yesterday has become more complex. Don’t you agree with the country’s full autonomy? Why?

Ms. Bakoyannis:  We must be very careful. It is a region with a very complex history and we must be careful due to the price that we might pay for such a decision. Any solution adopted should not humiliate either side. We must be united as Europeans, because Kosovo is in our back yard.

Journalist: Could it hurt Greece?

Ms. Bakoyannis:  Look, in an era when we are talking about enlarging our borders, we cannot also be discussing the creation of new ones. I doubt whether there is a European country that is not concerned about the situation in Kosovo. I’ll put it in a woman’s perspective: It is like putting a good tablecloth on a table made of sand. It is of no use. The most important thing is for us to decide whether we want to live all together and to know whether we are capable of doing that. The answer has to be yes.

Journalist: You might be giving the impression that you are rejecting Kosovo's independence because in your region you have a conflict with FYROM.

Ms. Bakoyannis:  That has nothing to do with it. We are neighbours and there must be stability in the region. We don’t want any problems with FYROM. We are the most important investors in this country; we are helping them develop their economy. But the region of Macedonia is an immense geographical area, part of which belongs to Greece – another part belongs to Bulgaria, and another part to FYROM.

Journalist: With FYROM’s government being as nationalistic as it is, are you afraid they might claim a part of Greek territory as their own?

Ms. Bakoyannis:  We asked them to change their name so as not to create confusion in other countries. They must make it clear which part of Macedonia belongs to each country. They must delimit their region and choose a name that sets them apart. We want to help them, but it is time for them to understand that if they want us as allies, they must change their name.