Athens , 26 May 2008

Ms. Bakoyannis (26 May): Today’s meeting of the Council of the EU covered a broad range of topics, each with its particular interest and particular importance:

·       The Union’s foreign policy and its relations with the world

·       European Security and Defense Policy

·       Europe’s role in international development cooperation

Our Union is a global partner in development, concurrently placing great emphasis on the humanitarian dimension of development.

Through its actions, the Union confirms the particular importance – as well as its particular awareness – of major issues and challenges being faced by the world, the global community, today.

At the joint Council with the Defense Ministers, we discussed – beyond developments in Afghanistan – the protection of children in armed conflicts. Other issues that will be looked at today and tomorrow, in the General Affairs Council, include the promotion and protection of children’s rights within the framework of the Union’s external activities; protection of women in armed conflicts; increasing food prices and food security in developing countries.

I am truly dismayed at the fact that such issues – very important facets of the EU’s activities – do not get the attention they deserve in the news media so that citizen awareness can be raised.

But it is important for citizens to know that the European Union – of which our country is an old and active member – is not just a global force for stability and development. It stands by citizens – not just in Europe, but the world over.

This is why I raised the issue of the contaminated sunflower oil that reached European consumers – not just in Greece, but also in other member states and in countries outside the Union.

I referred to this issue despite the fact that, strictly speaking, it is not part of the issue of developments with the World Trade Organization that we are discussing with my colleagues.

I underscored, specifically, that from here on in we have to look at how vetting of food products imported from third countries can be carried out more effectively and promptly.

Commissioner Mandelson conceded the advisability of this discussion, replying that very soon he will come back to this issue.

Now, regarding what I would call the more traditional issues covered in today’s GAERC proceedings, we looked at developments in Africa, Georgia and Iraq, and the course of the situation in Burma/Myanmar.

We also prepared an agenda for the upcoming European Council (implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, Justice and Home Affairs issues, Western Balkans, the Mediterranean Union and the issue of the food crisis and rising food prices).

During our luncheon, we looked mainly at developments in the Western Balkans, with emphasis on Kosovo and Serbia following the recent elections, as well as the Middle East.

More specifically, regarding the Western Balkans:

We discussed the European perspective of Serbia, which remains a key country for the development of harmonious relations among the people of the region, and for stability and development based on our European values.

Greece persists in arguing that we should follow through on the decision we took a month ago regarding the signing of a Stability and Association Agreement.

You will remember that last November I submitted a five-point action plan regarding the EU’s relations with the Western Balkans, and I dare say this action plan has become a point of reference for European activities in the region.

We also discussed the prospects and prerequisites for the future deployment of a European mission in Kosovo – EULEX Kosovo.

We are in constant contact with the UN to find the right way and timeframe so that the existing UN force can pull out and be replaced by that of the Union.

We are at a very delicate stage in the discussions, as we are nearing 15 June, when Kosovo’s constitution will go into effect.

It is important that we find a solution that ensures both a strong legal basis for the carrying out of the mission (which the UN umbrella provides), as well as autonomy in the administrative structure of EULEX.

In the Middle East, we had positive developments in Lebanon, resulting in the election of a president, which was pending for some time now. Greece welcomes these developments.

There appears to be a more positive willingness on the part of the country’s political forces to abandon conflicts and resolve problems through dialogue. We hope to see things continue in the right direction so that Lebanon can find its way, in the interest of peace and stability throughout the region.

Meanwhile, developments in the Middle East peace process are not making the desired headway.

With our partners and in my regular contact with various leaders in the region, I always have the opportunity to underscore the importance to us of confronting the problems in a comprehensive manner. Otherwise, any solutions implemented will not be sustainable.

You will have the opportunity to ascertain that the conclusions we will adopt today cover all the aspects of the issue.

As agreed in Annapolis six months ago, our goal remains the reaching of a peace agreement by the end of the year.

To that end, all of the parties will have to fulfil their obligations and refrain from any action that might jeopardise the progress of the talks.

We also welcome the willingness of Syria and Israel to begin negotiations with the assistance of Turkey. Actions aimed at strengthening peace and stability are always welcome.

An important development we had today was approval – following a two-year mandate for the Commission to carry out negotiations – for the opening of negotiations with Russia on a new EU-Russia agreement.

Finally, I want no note that the Council today adopted the text of the common position that will be presented tomorrow by the EU at the Association Council with Turkey.

I would like to make a few brief observations concerning this text, into which some of the basic concerns of our country have been incorporated in a very satisfactory manner.

I stress in particular:

1.      The section referring to good neighbourly relations is very satisfactory. It brings together all elements that have been included recently in community texts on this issue. Thus, Turkey is called upon to make a clear commitment to good neighbourly relations and the peaceful resolution of differences, to confront sources of friction and tension with its neighbours, and to refrain from threats and actions that negatively impact good neighbourly relations.

2.      The text on religious freedom was never so complete. It states that the new Turkish law on charitable institutions covers only some of the relevant issues, while its implementation will be monitored closely. The text also refers explicitly to the need for the Patriarchate to be free to use the title “Ecumenical” – an issue that, being purely religious, is not open to state intervention.

3.      The common position also refers to the property and educational problems being faced by the Greek minority in Turkey.

4.      The references to Cyprus are satisfactory.

5.      Significant emphasis is put on the issue of readmission, where it is stressed that the closing of an EU-Turkish agreement on readmission remains a priority, and our neighbouring country is called upon to make proper implementation of bilateral agreements with member states a priority.

6.      Significant reference is made to relations between the military and politics.

7.      We also see as important the references to limited progress in the fishing sector, to the need to ensure a high level of nuclear safety and environmental impact studies (including cross-border aspects).

In closing, I want to express my hope that domestic developments in Turkey will not dampen Turkey’s desire and will to work to achieve accession to the EU; that domestic developments will not put a brake on Turkey’s potential to move ahead with the necessary further reforms and adaptations to European prerequisites, criteria, principles and values.